Article on Edina’s football/hockey prospect Mason West.
I've heard that there are quite a few bigger name football programs also showing interest than just some MAC schools. A bit more high end on the football side than Anders Lee was.
Seemed that a few hockey schools were hesitant with Lee; will be interesting to watch West's recruitment play out.
He camped in football with the Gophers this summer but it sounds like he wouldn't be a take for them right now in football, so depends on how he does this fall where his interest might come from.
Next in line for the “USA Hockey” development camps is the Boys 16 camp starting tomorrow.
Don’t think there are any recruits at this point.
You can follow things HERE.
For some detailed information on the various players. Click on the “scout book” link and scroll down to page 20.
Minnesota players are HERE.
Players from the USA Hockey Boys 16 Camp will be evaluated and chosen to play for the Under-17 Select Team playing in an international competition, the Five Nations Tournament, which takes place August 14-18, 2024 in Piešťany, Slovakia.
The National 16 Camp wound down this morning with the all-star game.
https://twitter.com/RNPressRoom/status/1812840845789303050
The players going to Europe for the Five Nations Tournament probably named later this afternoon.
The players going to Europe for the Five Nations Tournament probably named later this afternoon.
HERE it is. Six Minnesotans named.
The last of the boy’s national camps, THE 15s (2009 birth years), starts on Wednesday.
MINNESOTA boys attending the 15 camp
Bumgarner's recruitment will be interesting to watch. The risk vs. the reward.
Suffering through a bit of recruit envy here —- trying to hold off until august 1, but now losing battle. Seeing updates for other schools but nothing for the Gophers.
any updates/rumors/thoughts on guys able to sign in august?
Any crumb or nugget will do
The Gophers are favorites to land Mikey Berchild, Parker Trottier, Logan Lutner and Mason Moe. Should that happen, we will be in VERY good shape.
It’s been said on here before and I’ll echo the same sentiment that if there is one thing that I do not worry about with Bob and Co. is their recruiting. They seem to get the right combination most of the time. Perhaps last year they could have used an extra piece or two but Cooley was a Gopher up until late July and I’m personally not sure of the whole Staudacher situation because granted we definitely could have used him on defense. That’s my only real critique of Motzko is it would have been nice to maybe pick up a seasoned defenseman in the transfer portal after Faber, Johnson, and LaCombe left but even then you nicer quite know what you’re going to get out of the transfer portal so I understand his apprehension. But like I said, overall not something I really worry about.
Just speculating on the first commit, I will guess Mason Moe. Feel confident on Moe and Trottier.
This post makes me feel good inside. By my Minnesota math - the 2025 recruiting class is pretty darn big (9 verbals) and with expected exits between now and the 2026 class may not need to be as large. I'm thinking it could be something like 3 F, 2-3 D, and probably a G. Things can obviously change fast but thats my estimate 2 years out.
From that lens, it would be amazing to have Katz, Berchild, Trottier, and Moe be the F commits. Lutner would be a huge commit on the backend, but I'm curious if there are any other names out there for defensemen that are gaining steam? Any thoughts on Celski? Or maybe Henry Chmiel?
Other forwards I'm intrigued by but may not have "room" for if the above kids commit would be Jimmy Egan, Luke Puchner, and Nate Pederson. I'll keep my mind open about Bumgarner too but it seems like such a wildcard and we'd probably have to ride a roller coaster between his commitment and the two years before he reaches campus...
Also goalies - It seems like between Wendt, Carrithers, and Hendrickson that now would be a great time to jump back into the MN goalie pool!
Mason Minor (BSM) and Griffin Sturm (St. Cloud Cathedral) seem like other names to watch on defense. Curious who the staff would prioritize.
-Mason Moe sure seems like a lock. Lots of strong family ties to MN.
Feel like Parker Trottier could be a prime Notre Dame target. Seems we are a popular pick for him though.
Mikey Berchild is going to be able to choose whoever he wants. I’ve overheard the staff talk about him so we’ll be putting on the full court press (as we should).
logan Lutner has many similarities to Faber. Hopefully he follows in his footsteps.
Cole Bumgarner just doesn’t seem to fit what tBob looks for. I’m predicting North Dakota on this one.
Don’t think Nate Celski or Nate Pederson are at a level to be getting offers from MN yet. A lot more to prove imo.
Henry Chmiel seems to have his stock climbing rapidly this summer. Very interested to see what team he makes at Shattuck next year.
I’m very confident that Mason Minor would be a gopher if he gets an offer.
My dream commit AJ Francisco but we all know where he’s going. Someday we will open up the pipeline to Hermantown.
One thing I’ve also noticed with this coaching staff is that while yes, they do like to pick up a few of those stud defensemen that are certified future NHLers, they also like to round out the D corps with wily, old vets that have extensive experience in juniors. Sometimes that means they pick up a late bloomer who might have gotten passed over at 16 but is now 19 and knows how to play a tough, mean, 200ft game. M guys that will stay all four years and give blood, sweat, and tears to see the program be successful.
This post makes me feel good inside. By my Minnesota math - the 2025 recruiting class is pretty darn big (9 verbals) and with expected exits between now and the 2026 class may not need to be as large. I'm thinking it could be something like 3 F, 2-3 D, and probably a G. Things can obviously change fast but thats my estimate 2 years out.
From that lens, it would be amazing to have Katz, Berchild, Trottier, and Moe be the F commits. Lutner would be a huge commit on the backend, but I'm curious if there are any other names out there for defensemen that are gaining steam? Any thoughts on Celski? Or maybe Henry Chmiel?
Other forwards I'm intrigued by but may not have "room" for if the above kids commit would be Jimmy Egan, Luke Puchner, and Nate Pederson. I'll keep my mind open about Bumgarner too but it seems like such a wildcard and we'd probably have to ride a roller coaster between his commitment and the two years before he reaches campus...
Also goalies - It seems like between Wendt, Carrithers, and Hendrickson that now would be a great time to jump back into the MN goalie pool!
Bob doesn’t really recruit young goalies so I wouldn’t hold my breath on Carrithers or Wendt. Hendrickson on the other hand should have been getting offered for the past year or so. I’d be concerned if he wasn’t!
Mason Minor (BSM) and Griffin Sturm (St. Cloud Cathedral) seem like other names to watch on defense. Curious who the staff would prioritize.
I love watching Griffin Sturm but man a 5’7 defenseman scares me. You have to move mountains as a player for me to be okay offering a 5’7 defenseman at a program like Minnesota and unfortunately he isn’t quite at that level.
Just speculating on the first commit, I will guess Mason Moe. Feel confident on Moe and Trottier.
I feel like Moe will be an August 1st type of commit.
Last year we had Mace’o Phillips on August 2nd and two years ago John Whipple on August first. Hendrickson, Javon and Ziemer all went in the first week that year too.
Just speculating on the first commit, I will guess Mason Moe. Feel confident on Moe and Trottier.
I feel like Moe will be an August 1st type of commit.
Last year we had Mace’o Phillips on August 2nd and two years ago John Whipple on August first. Hendrickson, Javon and Ziemer all went in the first week that year too.
Why is everyone so bullish on Moe and Trottier? Seen this in multiple posts. Folks also seem very bullish on Berchild as well.
Moe has a lot of family ties to MN and I think his grandpa was a quarterback for the gophers. I’ve heard from EP parents that his dream school was MN.
I think someone said Trottiers dad is a Dr. at MN so I think that’s the steam there.
Berchild is the best player from MN so I think a lot of people assume we will be going after him hard. Coaching staff are big fans.
so simply a lot of internet speculation. I’m guessing no one really has any inside info.
Any idea why Moe is so old for his grade and if he’ll accelerate school?
Any idea why Moe is so old for his grade and if he’ll accelerate school?
No idea but I’ve always wondered that. Hes about a year older than most kids in his grade.
I see that Jackson Potulny (Grant’s son) is committed to St. Thomas. Looks like he put up good numbers at Shattuck and now heading to BCHL. Were/are the Gophers interested?
I see that Jackson Potulny (Grant’s son) is committed to St. Thomas. Looks like he put up good numbers at Shattuck and now heading to BCHL. Were/are the Gophers interested?
why are so many recruits going to St.Thomas
Aloha!
UST has the same roster size as every other Div I team.
UST has the same roster size as every other Div I team.
I know this but why am I seeing so many new recruits going to St.Thomas for the next few years, like 2025,2026,2027?
Aloha!
C’mon gopher6…there’s LOTS of reasons like St Thomas getting a new on-campus hockey arena built, having the 2nd best Business School in MN (behind the Carlson School) and St Thomas being located in the Twin Cities. In my view…in 5 years or less…they’ll have a very competitive team & will develop (eventually) into a bitter hockey rival of the Gophers.UST has the same roster size as every other Div I team.
I know this but why am I seeing so many new recruits going to St.Thomas for the next few years, like 2025,2026,2027?
My take on UST recruiting, they have to offer kids a little sooner and take a little more risk in their prospects than the tradition powers to try and get them committed earlier. They know at this point, that they don’t have the pedigree to consistently out recruit a MN/Mich/UND etc. so they don’t have the luxury to wait on kids they have interest in. Get them committed early and hope they stick with the Toms.
As a proud alum, UST does have a ton to offer kids though.
... will develop (eventually) into a bitter hockey rival of the Gophers.
I could see them becoming a bitter rival of the Purple Cows or even Bemidji, but not the Gophers. The only thing UST has playing into a potential rivalry with the Gophers is proximity. They have no history (ala the Whioux or UMD), and they're in different conferences, so there won't be a conference rivalry (ala the Stinkin' Badgers or the Ugly Helmets).
It would take multiple years of the two facing each other in the Frozen Four for a bitter rivalry to develop.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
I’m not implying it will happen overnight. St Thomas being in the NCHC will enhance rivalry with schools from that conference. But the Gophers will schedule St Thomas most years (due to proximity 💵 factor) and eventually St Thomas will record some wins…my point is…that’s when a bit of a cross-town rivalry will ensue.... will develop (eventually) into a bitter hockey rival of the Gophers.
I could see them becoming a bitter rival of the Purple Cows or even Bemidji, but not the Gophers. The only thing UST has playing into a potential rivalry with the Gophers is proximity. They have no history (ala the Whioux or UMD), and they're in different conferences, so there won't be a conference rivalry (ala the Stinkin' Badgers or the Ugly Helmets).
It would take multiple years of the two facing each other in the Frozen Four for a bitter rivalry to develop.
... will develop (eventually) into a bitter hockey rival of the Gophers.
I could see them becoming a bitter rival of the Purple Cows or even Bemidji, but not the Gophers. The only thing UST has playing into a potential rivalry with the Gophers is proximity. They have no history (ala the Whioux or UMD), and they're in different conferences, so there won't be a conference rivalry (ala the Stinkin' Badgers or the Ugly Helmets).
It would take multiple years of the two facing each other in the Frozen Four for a bitter rivalry to develop.
Fully agree. UST spells the demise of SCSU. Better facilities (soon), education, and experience in the same conference. UMD and UND will keep their recruiting hot beds.
Main difference is there is no history, and we won’t typically play UST when it matters. Even when we played SCSU in the regional final in ‘22-‘23 I didn’t think of it as a rivalry game.
As a proud alum, UST does have a ton to offer kids though.
As a proud SJU alum, I have to disagree!
Getting to be recruiting season. “College Puck NXT” is a relatively new site that posts a lot about this type of recruiting stuff. I think it’s even ran by the future Gophers guy. Some pretty good insight.
https://twitter.com/collegepucknxt/status/1806012670643945786?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
Followed them when they first popped up. Well worth it.
Vegoe believes coaches have interest in Berchild (like I’ve said before, I’ve heard coaches talk about him before) and Trottier.
This was in reference to Schlossman’s list of 30 names to keep an eye on for Aug. 1. No mention of Lutner, Francisco, Bumgarner.
Also confirmed that Moe’s grandpa was high up in leadership position at the U. He will be a gopher if he gets an offer.
Also confirmed that Moe’s grandpa was high up in leadership position at the U. He will be a gopher if he gets an offer.
That is probably Tom Moe who at one time was the U athletic director. One of his kids Mike played football at Tonka with my brother and ended up playing for 2 years at Minnesota. Well, he was on the roster anyway. One of their teammates Adam Kelly was the starting punter for a few years and at one point had the longest punt in UM history, but I think that's since been beaten.
That would make sense. I wasn’t given a specific name.
Gophers Hockey instagram is following Mikey Berchild along with a few of the current Gophers....
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
@younggopherdiehard2 - No Lutner blows my mind after the Faber comps and the likely need for top pairing D in his potential class. Fingers crossed.
I’m guessing no mention of Lutner doesn’t really mean much. I’m sure we have interest.
I'm at the point where I completely trust the staff in regards to what they do and don't do recruiting-wise. I'm sure at least two and probably more NTDP 08s wind up as Gopher commits.
@younggopherdiehard2 - No Lutner blows my mind after the Faber comps and the likely need for top pairing D in his potential class. Fingers crossed.
What is the Faber comp based on? Him being from Maple Grove? I don't really see that many similarities.
@younggopherdiehard2 - No Lutner blows my mind after the Faber comps and the likely need for top pairing D in his potential class. Fingers crossed.
What is the Faber comp based on? Him being from Maple Grove? I don't really see that many similarities.
Play style similarities are impossible to ignore. Excellent rush defenseman with elite footwork and an elite stick. Fluid skating stride/extremely mobile with the puck. Underrated offensive abilities too. If you didn’t know any better you would’ve thought I just read you a Faber scouting report. IMO the comparables are undeniable at least at that age.
And yes wearing #14 and being from Maple Grove may be a factor too lol.
I should add I’m not saying he’ll necessarily be a captain of the world juniors team/calder finalist caliber of player but the comparisons AT THIS AGE are what I’m talking about and are pretty undeniable when I’ve watched Lutner play.
Lutner may full well be a Gopher, no clue, but it is true he had direct family attend UMD.
…….and recruiting article number two
Kade Stengrim is a 6’4 forward out of Brainerd that I never heard of but he made the USA Hlinka Gretzky team. Intriguing player to follow as a bit of a late bloomer.
https://twitter.com/letsplay_hockey/status/1818311966328234144?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
Are there some districts that don't have players available for this?
Tis the season! In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple months here are our top targets for the recruiting season:
Mikey Berchild F (Shattuck St. Mary’s)
Mason Moe F (Eden Prairie)
Logan Lutner D (Maple Grove)
Parker Trottier F (Shattuck St. Mary’s)
AJ Francisco D (Hermantown)