I know some had wished that after a year in Canada he might have played for the Gophers. I always said no way because the way his parents have shaped his career as well as his brothers. Well, now it is official he won't be coming anywhere to play college.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Well, sadness of not getting Davidson aside...
The U17's World Challenge is going on up in Sarnia, ON. The US had a really good result in their warm up game with Canada White, lost in a shootout but lead most of the game. I think they should do very well against kids their own age vs getting beat on by kids 2-3 yrs older than them in the USHL. The goalies (Carrithers / Smith) played well the previous wknd vs Dubuque (didn't get much offensive support) and played well vs Canada (I'll excuse the 3 goals in second half as they split the game and coming in cold sux for a goalie). The D are all finally healthy now and their forwards don't have to worry about guys 50 lbs heavier than them smushing them into the boards.
Watched the Elite League AS Team vs Shattuck yesterday, good game with Elite League winning in OT. I think the Gophs should take a look at his older brother Brooks who will be a Sr at Moorhead. Good size (6'), skates well, good hands and very high hockey IQ. Get the older Cullen and maybe it helps get his two younger brothers to campus as well? I also liked the Ayers-Assad kid from Holy Angels, tough as nails and all around good player. Mason Minor also made his presence known, really like his game. Did not know a lot about the Solomon kid coming into the season but he seems to be the real deal, he's a scorer and maybe there is still time to wrestle him away from Wisconsin? The Hauser kid's stock is also rising, late 07 and is a Jr this year.
someone on twitter claimed that we had a Moorhead player on campus for a visit. If true, I think realistically it could only have been either Brooks Cullen or Brandon Mickelson.
What about Zimmerman, he's a beast and led Moorhead in scoring last year.
I could be wrong but I don’t think Sophomores are allowed to do any sort of visit at this point.
Ah, ok. He's a May '08 birthday so maybe parents sent him to school late if he's only a 10th grader this year.
I see on Twitter that the U17's added a forward (Varga kid from Kelowna in WHL, Chi Mission last year) up in Canada....so who got hurt then?
Berchild missed last game I think
Berchild missed last game I think
That's a huge blow if he's hurt. Trottier also missing from lineup card last night. That's two important players not in the lineup.
They lost to Canada Red last night 3-6 (two EN's for Canada) so they kept it close.
A few decommitments have started to pop up on USHL rosters lately.
These are the Minnesotans I’ve noticed and some that have already been shared:
Tanner Bruender - formerly NMU
John Stout - formerly UMD
Sam Scheetz - formerly Vermont
Jayden Veney - formerly Union
Landen Gunderson - formerly WMU
I’m curious what’s the story behind Stout. His numbers don’t seem to warrant UMD pulling the offer, so maybe he drove this. I always liked his decision making, but foot speed wasn’t the best. I thought he looked a lot like Koster on the ice but a little slower. Seems to be adjusting to the USHL just fine.
Stout and Gunderson would be the guys of interest in that group, I would think. Maybe Veney if they want a project, but Maceo is already in the pipeline.
I have no insight as to why Stout is no longer committed to UMD, but it’s certainly concerning. He was 1st team all metro & won the Reed Larson award along with anchoring a AA state championship team. If the last few years, the Dogs have had a number of high end players transfer after playing in Duluth (too). They've got to land high level recruits who aren’t from Hermantown or Warroad. They’ve also taken a dive regarding the impact of their Canadian recruits the past 5 years. Stout should be a solid D1 player for whomever lands him.A few decommitments have started to pop up on USHL rosters lately.
These are the Minnesotans I’ve noticed and some that have already been shared:
Tanner Bruender - formerly NMU
John Stout - formerly UMD
Sam Scheetz - formerly Vermont
Jayden Veney - formerly Union
Landen Gunderson - formerly WMU
I’m curious what’s the story behind Stout. His numbers don’t seem to warrant UMD pulling the offer, so maybe he drove this. I always liked his decision making, but foot speed wasn’t the best. I thought he looked a lot like Koster on the ice but a little slower. Seems to be adjusting to the USHL just fine.
Stout and Gunderson would be the guys of interest in that group, I would think. Maybe Veney if they want a project, but Maceo is already in the pipeline.
https://twitter.com/MikeMcMahonCHN/status/1854618525098287119?s=19
Bob was playing chess while we were playing checkers!
⬆️ When I got over the dizzy spell I got from watching the above video my brain went back to the days of Larry Olimb.
Wyatt Cullen feels like the prize from the group, though cannot say I know much about the others. Will be interesting to see if any follow in dad's footsteps or blaze their own trail.
Blaine kid got roasted in the tiktok comments. Hopefully he has thick skin and teammates have his back.⬆️ When I got over the dizzy spell I got from watching the above video my brain went back to the days of Larry Olimb.
Pretty soft one on the goalie's part as well since he saw it coming the whole way.
Berchild missed last game I think
That's a huge blow if he's hurt. Trottier also missing from lineup card last night. That's two important players not in the lineup.
They lost to Canada Red last night 3-6 (two EN's for Canada) so they kept it close.
The U17's had mixed results last weekend in Sarnia at the U17 World Challenge. I had high hopes for them going into the tourney. After they only lost 3-4 in a SO to Canada White in a exhibition / warmup game I was like alright, here we go. They did beat a good Czechia team in OT in the qtrs but then got roughed up by Canada Red in the semis 3-7. They dropped the 3rd place game 4-5 to Sweden in OT finishing with a record of 2-3. I think Plante was the only kid from NTDP to make all-tourney team with 9 pts (2G - 7A).
John stout to wiscy apparently
Brooks Cullen to Michigan State....damn Nightengale stole my idea!
Clearly posturing for the other brothers, will be interesting to see if it works. As far as Brooks goes, we aren’t missing anything. Doubt he ever dresses for MSU.
It does feel like a gambit to land Wyatt and the others. Curious if it works...as is Brooks Cullen feels like a player whose junior career you wait to see prior to extending an offer.
Nightingale has a direct pipeline to NTDP, that’s why he refused to let commit Cullen Potter come in a year early, there’s no way he’d jeopardize burning his bridge to NTDP. Obviously they’re positioning themselves to land his two younger bros, one on the U17 team, the other a 9th grader & the biggest prize. Since Matt Cullen is not a Gopher alum (Parrish relishes retelling the recruiting story involving himself, Cullen & the Wooger) it’s likely a solid strategy by Nightingale.It does feel like a gambit to land Wyatt and the others. Curious if it works...as is Brooks Cullen feels like a player whose junior career you wait to see prior to extending an offer.