@eric-vegoe I was looking through these draft rankings and it got me kind of down when comparing with the kids that Denver and UND (even SCSU and UMD) were pulling... MN kids. The BC/BU squads seems to get the east coast kids that are high level and the midwest schools fight and dilute the MN pool.
This thread was kind of uplifting. Trust in Bob. Pieces of the puzzle vs. recruiting for for one and dones maybe? There are a lot of top tier MN talent going to other schools (UND, SCSU, UMD, WI). But there is a reason we aren't behind the bench.
I went to 2025 draft rankings too with similar results in our prospective 2025 class. LJ Mooney is the blue chip - but we didn't pull the big MN names.
Thoughts?
We’re pulling plenty big MN names. First year in 4 years that we won’t have a 1st round pick in the draft does not mean the sky is falling. Bob’s strength is recruiting. Always has been always will be.
No 1st round freshman this year. Season is OVER!!!! 😉
In response to JD. No freshman first rounder. But…
-First rounder, a junior transfer with 62 pts in 70 NCAA games, in Matthew Wood
-Freshman 2nd rounder potentially in Ziemer
-Freshman 4th rounder that played a year of juniors after his draft year in Hendrickson
-USHL defensemen of the year in Leo Gruba
Another story on Javon Moore
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Maybe I should have put this in the Potential Recruits thread, but
recruit Gavin Katz is involved so here we are. The “USA Hockey” National 17 Development Camp starts on Tuesday. They’re spicing the games up by going back to games between districts like they used to instead of splitting players on to random teams. You can follow camp games HERE. Minnesota players involved can be found HERE.
A little extra digging found at least two recruits I missed earlier, Jacob Rombach on the Minnesota team and Matthew Grimes on the New York team. One of Grimes’ teammates on New York isn’t a future Gopher but it’s……..
Mason Moe is a guy i expect to become a Gopher in a little over a month and is also on that Minnesota team with Katz and Rombach
@eric-vegoe I was looking through these draft rankings and it got me kind of down when comparing with the kids that Denver and UND (even SCSU and UMD) were pulling... MN kids. The BC/BU squads seems to get the east coast kids that are high level and the midwest schools fight and dilute the MN pool.
This thread was kind of uplifting. Trust in Bob. Pieces of the puzzle vs. recruiting for for one and dones maybe? There are a lot of top tier MN talent going to other schools (UND, SCSU, UMD, WI). But there is a reason we aren't behind the bench.
I went to 2025 draft rankings too with similar results in our prospective 2025 class. LJ Mooney is the blue chip - but we didn't pull the big MN names.
Thoughts?
Jacob Kvasnicka is a blue chip forward in the incoming 2025 class. He dealt with some injuries during his NTDP U17 season which limited his momentum as a prospect but he is in the same tier as Mooney.
Phillips and Rombach are also very strong D recruits.
@eric-vegoe I was looking through these draft rankings and it got me kind of down when comparing with the kids that Denver and UND (even SCSU and UMD) were pulling... MN kids. The BC/BU squads seems to get the east coast kids that are high level and the midwest schools fight and dilute the MN pool.
This thread was kind of uplifting. Trust in Bob. Pieces of the puzzle vs. recruiting for for one and dones maybe? There are a lot of top tier MN talent going to other schools (UND, SCSU, UMD, WI). But there is a reason we aren't behind the bench.
I went to 2025 draft rankings too with similar results in our prospective 2025 class. LJ Mooney is the blue chip - but we didn't pull the big MN names.
Thoughts?
I think it's very difficult to win titles with a bunch of first round draft picks as the base of your recruiting classes. Grabbing them when they fit the program and integrating them with a large core of players who are spending at least three years in college is more sustainable.
Convincing Beckett Hendrickson to spend another year playing juniors before coming to campus is a big win for this group as he'll be able to compete at a higher level. Getting Pahlsson, Gruba and Falloon coming in as older players should also be helpful as they should be around for a while and ready to play in their roles.
Ziemer is a really intriguing player as he's beloved by his teammates, drives play and I know the coaching staff thinks they have an effective college hockey player coming to campus. He doesn't project to be a big NHL prospect, but most scouts say his compete level is one of his strengths. Whipple might have stalled a bit at the USNTDP, but he's got a lot of the skating and size you want on defense. He'll have to earn his minutes this year.
Tough to miss out on Hagens and Hensler, but it's not like those two are going to be in college a long time. I'd like to see the Gophers get a really skilled D in one of these classes that can be a difference maker back there on special teams.
Kvasnicka scored 89 points as a bantam AA (against tough competition) and then another 45 points as a sophomore at Wayzata HS. He'll be great. Sounded like he battled some injuries last year, but I expect him to be a scorer again this year.Maybe in a tier right below Mooney but that’s not a knock on Kvasnicka it’s just Mooney has separated himself from most players his age.
Kvasnicka scored 89 points as a bantam AA (against tough competition) and then another 45 points as a sophomore at Wayzata HS. He'll be great. Sounded like he battled some injuries last year, but I expect him to be a scorer again this year.Maybe in a tier right below Mooney but that’s not a knock on Kvasnicka it’s just Mooney has separated himself from most players his age.
Yep. Big Kvasnicka fan. Produced whenever he was in the lineup this year for the U17’s but unfortunately dealt with that injury as you mentioned.
He kind of slipped under the radar as he wasn’t part of the 2023 Aug. 1 recruiting window and he accelerated to commit mid December. Should technically be part of this years recruiting window with Berchild, Trottier, etc.
Javon Moore falls to the 4th, to Ottawa. Not a drastic drop but speaks to a longer developmental curve.
Maybe an extra year with the Gophers. 😊
Rombach and Grimes make the cut to move onto the Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp (hosted at Tria) where they will try out to make the team. Katz weirdly didn’t make the cut even after being one of the highest point producers in the whole event.
Rombach and Grimes make the cut to move onto the Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp (hosted at Tria) where they will try out to make the team. Katz weirdly didn’t make the cut even after being one of the highest point producers in the whole event.
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2024hgccamproster
Kind of surprising that Katz didn’t make the camp after putting up very good numbers.
Yes, very odd
Kind of surprising that Katz didn’t make the camp after putting up very good numbers.
Perhaps related to size? Roster looks like they are taller/heavier in general across the board.
Jackson Nevers invited to Wild Development Camp next week.
Jacob Rombach listed at 6’6 by the official USA Hlinka Camp roster meaning he’s grown an inch since committing last fall. Not sure if he plans on stopping ever lol.
It also shocked me to see that Javon Moore is 6’5 at the draft cause he was something like 6’2 or 6’3 when he committed.
I’ll be interested to see how much Maceo Phillips has grown when the official NTDP u18 roster gets released because I believe he’s the tallest one.
Jacob Rombach and Matt Grimes make the final roster.
So does Mason Moe (potential recruit)
https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1818278373778727392?s=46&t=UtlPiq7Vt1Te97QT76L7LQ
Good for them! Excited to watch them on a bigger stage.
Also worth mentioning that the head coach of the team is Garrett Raboin and Ben Gordon is an assistant. Jacob Snuggerud (jimmy’s brother I believe) is the equipment manager.
:popcorn:
refresh
:popcorn:
Don't freak out. This is a video of an already committed player 😎
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Don't freak out. This is a video of an already committed player 😎
I hope the BADgers have a commitment from the goalie. He looks good wearing red. 😀
Watched the whole game. I see the vision with Rombach. He’s still got some refining to do but you can tell he’ll be an elite shutout defender. He closes on guys so quick. NHL teams are gonna drool over him with that size.
I loved Grimes honestly, and not just for the half court snipe. So much poise with the puck. Has a bit of Ryan Johnson in him.
Don't freak out. This is a video of an already committed player 😎
I don't get it.
Don't freak out. This is a video of an already committed player 😎
I don't get it.
With everyone watching this thread for a big time commitment, I wanted to put a disclaimer out there instead of just posting the video to not get everyone's hopes up that the Gophers got a new player. It is just a video of an already committed player to the Gophers. That is just me being part informative and part smart a$$.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Looks like Friday’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup 🇨🇦 vs. 🇺🇸 semifinal game will be broadcast on NHL Network starting at 8:30 p.m.
More Hlinka-Gretzky viewing.
Team USA will play Sweden in the third-place game tomorrow (August 10) at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will broadcast live on NHL Network.
A look at a few of the future Gophers .
https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1833520818552537484
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Learned recently that LJ stands for “Little John”. That’s hilarious
This is not funny.
May I suggest the ban hammer?
This is not funny.
May I suggest the ban hammer?
A ban for making a new post in this thread, outside of a post calling for new posts unrelated to new commits calling for a ban? I am in favor.
These people are trying to trick me into thinking we have a new commitment.What did I miss?
Have not seen Jackson Nevers in Waterloo's lineup the past week. Hopefully just a minor ailment.
Javon Moore off to a strong start with a goal and two assists in three games.
Nevers is hurt. Teddy Townsend is a guy I feel like people have forgotten about that I think is going to have a heck of a season in the USHL this year and a heck of a college career.
Mooney just took a big knee on knee hit in tonight’s game against Notre dame. Couldn’t really put any weight on his leg as he left the ice.
Ugh. Hate to lose development time, and in his draft year as well. Hopefully it is something minor.
Dirty as $h!t play. Dress Michel when we’re in South Bend just to go for that guys chin.
https://twitter.com/ryan_sikes10/status/1842379377020915855?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g