Mooney and Phillips will both be here next season. Phillips is so physically mature for an 18 year old, you don’t see that very often. Mooney is just too high end to send to juniors, you want him in your lineup asap. 1 year of juniors isn’t gonna fix the fact he’s 5’7.
On the other hand I project Kvasnicka plays a year in the USHL next season. He stands to have the most to gain from the extra year. Undersized but scrappy, putting on some weight would be good before playing against men in college. Kwaz COULD play bottom of the lineup minutes for the Gophers next season but I think playing on a juniors team’s top line is so much more beneficial. Then he and Moe come in as polished freshmen in 2026-27.
Yeah, you're probably right on both. For Mooney it was more that he missed two full months this season due to the injury and like you mentioned for Kvasnicka, the same could be said for adding strength to his Mooney's 157lb-frame. But, the talent-level is definitely there.
When I watch Phillips I'm just not sold that he's ready to make the jump even with his physical traits/skating. The hockey sense and decision-making with and without the puck is still really lacking to me, but we'll see.
For future potential commits, I have to admit that it was odd being at the state tournament and having zero Gopher commits to watch. It’s funny, out of the ten Mr. Hockey finalists, the one who is uncommitted, Jackson Rudh, is likely my favorite player of the bunch and I’d definitely welcome him on the Gophers. Kraft received all the attention and rightly so, but I think Rudh projects out to being just as good of a player.
Otherwise, assuming that he plans to play hockey, Mason West has to be a focus of the coaching staff with his physical attributes and dominant play in the tournament/this season. He has already joined the Fargo Force and posted two points in three games.
For sophomores that can verbally commit on 8/1, Freddie Schneider and Luca Jarvis from Stillwater are two super skilled forwards that would be great gets for us. Both made varsity as freshman and are top players of their age group.
I guess I should just stop posting about potential recruits altogether as within four days of making this post, Jackson Rudh has now committed to SCSU and Mason West's supposed shortlist is Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame (however, this can obviously still change and I wouldn't fully count us out yet).
For future potential commits, I have to admit that it was odd being at the state tournament and having zero Gopher commits to watch. It’s funny, out of the ten Mr. Hockey finalists, the one who is uncommitted, Jackson Rudh, is likely my favorite player of the bunch and I’d definitely welcome him on the Gophers. Kraft received all the attention and rightly so, but I think Rudh projects out to being just as good of a player.
Otherwise, assuming that he plans to play hockey, Mason West has to be a focus of the coaching staff with his physical attributes and dominant play in the tournament/this season. He has already joined the Fargo Force and posted two points in three games.
For sophomores that can verbally commit on 8/1, Freddie Schneider and Luca Jarvis from Stillwater are two super skilled forwards that would be great gets for us. Both made varsity as freshman and are top players of their age group.
I guess I should just stop posting about potential recruits altogether as within four days of making this post, Jackson Rudh has now committed to SCSU and Mason West's supposed shortlist is Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame (however, this can obviously still change and I wouldn't fully count us out yet).
Dunno if I really believe the Mason West shortlist. As someone else said, the article was written with an NHL-centric audience in mind, so throwing a bunch of “brand name” schools out there makes sense, and then the people who are a little more informed can infer, of course Gophers are in the mix. There’s not really any other explanation for including Wisconsin of all places.
From what I've seen of Blake Vanek, he'd be no worse than a handful of players we've seen on the roster the past several years.
People can be hopeful about the West article all they want, but the reality is we have no concrete evidence that he has interest in the U or that the U is showing him interest. So I have no reason to not take the article for truth. Until something changes (commits announced), this has been a very discouraging recruiting cylcle and no other way to frame it.
Agree, no reason to take the last two years off of recruiting high end mn players. Only thing that makes sense to me at this point is he has some major chl players or transfers lined up.
I'd be surprised if that was the case, Bob doesn't seem to adapt quickly to changes and I could see him hesitating on CHL players for a couple of cycles.
From what I've seen of Blake Vanek, he'd be no worse than a handful of players we've seen on the roster the past several years.
I think they call that "damning with faint praise."
His future in college hockey should come out in his next year or two of juniors.
People can be hopeful about the West article all they want, but the reality is we have no concrete evidence that he has interest in the U or that the U is showing him interest. So I have no reason to not take the article for truth. Until something changes (commits announced), this has been a very discouraging recruiting cylcle and no other way to frame it.
regarding west, there’s also no strong indication he’s even playing hockey. Think we’ll know more based on if he partakes in the combine and would envision his recruitment situation will be much more readily apparent at that time
People can be hopeful about the West article all they want, but the reality is we have no concrete evidence that he has interest in the U or that the U is showing him interest. So I have no reason to not take the article for truth. Until something changes (commits announced), this has been a very discouraging recruiting cylcle and no other way to frame it.
regarding west, there’s also no strong indication he’s even playing hockey. Think we’ll know more based on if he partakes in the combine and would envision his recruitment situation will be much more readily apparent at that time
If he thinks he can become a professional athlete, it will get down to his clearest pathway. It appears the big-name football programs are less enthusiastic than the hockey schools.
People can be hopeful about the West article all they want, but the reality is we have no concrete evidence that he has interest in the U or that the U is showing him interest. So I have no reason to not take the article for truth. Until something changes (commits announced), this has been a very discouraging recruiting cylcle and no other way to frame it.
regarding west, there’s also no strong indication he’s even playing hockey. Think we’ll know more based on if he partakes in the combine and would envision his recruitment situation will be much more readily apparent at that time
If he thinks he can become a professional athlete, it will get down to his clearest pathway. It appears the big-name football programs are less enthusiastic than the hockey schools.
I agree which is common. Though to be fair, he should play the sport he loves. If he’s talking pro prospects, it certainly looks hockey is the better bet given his size/skills combo.
Zack Zimmerman would look good in maroon and gold
I really, really like Zimmerman...but not 100% sold on him just yet. He may be a sophomore but that is because his parents sent him to school a year late, he's an early May 2008 birth year. I don't think he is going to get much bigger than he is now and a lot of the kids in his age group will catch up soon.
@jlw I couldn't agree with this more. Look at some of the goalie talent out of MN in the show and the blue chip prospects and we either don't land them or simply don't pursue them! Potential case in point with Xavier Wendt. Wilcox was the last exciting in-state get IMO.
I don't foresee Wendt coming to Dinkytown. He'll be skipping Sr year at Shattuck for juniors (WHL or USHL) next year is the rumor.
Other options in the late 07 thru 08 birth year:
Carter Casey - Grand Rapids: I like his game, needs to get a little more meat on him
Cash Cruitt - Andover: has the height scouts love, needs to be quicker, gets flustered easily
Luke Carrithers - Maple Grove / NTDP: has struggled this year but NTDP defense isn't that great either, next year should be better
Kaenan Smith - Duluth / Sioux Falls Power: not eye popping stats this year but is built like a prototype goalie, has suited up for NTDP and SF Stampede this season. Probably a UMD guy when he can commit?
No NTDP for Conboy who is another one to keep an eye on for the future:
https://twitter.com/USHL/status/1904971637415371071
I had pretty much eliminated Zimmerman due to being a Spud. It would, however, be great to have some sort of pipeline in the northwest part of the state.
Who’s the last Spud? Been years, no?
I’m racking my brain to think of someone after Ryan, but I’m drawing a blank.
I had pretty much eliminated Zimmerman due to being a Spud. It would, however, be great to have some sort of pipeline in the northwest part of the state.
this team needs some 218 blood in some quantity
Grand Rapids kids seem to be the most likely to make the trek to 612, but we’ve managed to snag a few Roseau guys too.
Pretty sure Kraft was the last player from Moorhead. Drew Fisher last from the NW?
ETA: Looks like Fisher played briefly at Moorhead.
ETAA: I completely forgot about Roseau.
You’d think Gordon being from I Falls would maybe land a few more from that neck of the woods.
We’ve now gone an entire season and picked up one single recruit.
Moztko better have a plan that doesn’t include a bunch of NAHL rejects.
I am not anti Motzko due to the tourney, but the lack of recruitment this season is very concerning.
We’ve now gone an entire season and picked up one single recruit.
Moztko better have a plan that doesn’t include a bunch of NAHL rejects.
I am not anti Motzko due to the tourney, but the lack of recruitment this season is very concerning.
After losing out on Berchild and Davidson, my guess is the staff was willing to be patient to see which players developed later in their careers and showed their wares in junior hockey. We will see if it pays off, but outside of Mason West, I do not see many commitment-eligible players we would lament at the moment.
Posted it in the other thread, but with our projected 1C gone, we need a Misa type player from somewhere.
Posted it in the other thread, but with our projected 1C gone, we need a Misa type player from somewhere.
Also a true 1st pair D. Offense from the backend looking sketchy losing Rinzel, Koster and likely Chesley.
We’ve now gone an entire season and picked up one single recruit.
Moztko better have a plan that doesn’t include a bunch of NAHL rejects.
I am not anti Motzko due to the tourney, but the lack of recruitment this season is very concerning.
After losing out on Berchild and Davidson, my guess is the staff was willing to be patient to see which players developed later in their careers and showed their wares in junior hockey. We will see if it pays off, but outside of Mason West, I do not see many commitment-eligible players we would lament at the moment.
I mean, are we looking at Moose Jaw U South next year?
Posted it in the other thread, but with our projected 1C gone, we need a Misa type player from somewhere.
Also a true 1st pair D. Offense from the backend looking sketchy losing Rinzel, Koster and likely Chesley.
most teams would love to have a mittelstadt Thomas first pair. But yes they need some more offense from the D unless we’re expecting whipple and grubs to take big leaps
@streakygopher I've been sounding the alarm all season on virtually zero recruits and incoming recruits won't come close to replacing production lost. There's no way the coaching staff could be that incompetent, they have to have something lined up or else we are in for a tough couple of years...
He was at the game Thursday wearing a UND hockey shirt.Zack Zimmerman would look good in maroon and gold
I really, really like Zimmerman...but not 100% sold on him just yet. He may be a sophomore but that is because his parents sent him to school a year late, he's an early May 2008 birth year. I don't think he is going to get much bigger than he is now and a lot of the kids in his age group will catch up soon.
most teams would love to have a mittelstadt Thomas first pair. But yes they need some more offense from the D unless we’re expecting whipple and grubs to take big leaps
I don't dislike either of those defensemen, but "most teams" isn't a big bar to clear. That first pairing of defenseman would almost certainly be the 16th ranked in the 2025-26 national tournament. The two big defensemen recruits they are bringing in next season, Phillips and Rombach, are not offensive minded guys (Phillips 2-4-6 and Rombach 3-15-18). And both are very big defensemen that usually take a while to grow into their size in D1 college hockey.
They really need Gruba to step up the scoring. I think it is a long season if he does not score at least 10 goals.
I think if Chesley stays another year the defenseman group is at least stabilized a bit. The 6 foot -5 inch+ freshman can be paired with veteran guys and play more stay at home hockey.
most teams would love to have a mittelstadt Thomas first pair. But yes they need some more offense from the D unless we’re expecting whipple and grubs to take big leaps
I don't dislike either of those defensemen, but "most teams" isn't a big bar to clear. That first pairing of defenseman would almost certainly be the 16th ranked in the 2025-26 national tournament. The two big defensemen recruits they are bringing in next season, Phillips and Rombach, are not offensive minded guys (Phillips 2-4-6 and Rombach 3-15-18). And both are very big defensemen that usually take a while to grow into their size in D1 college hockey.
They really need Gruba to step up the scoring. I think it is a long season if he does not score at least 10 goals.
I think if Chesley stays another year the defenseman group is at least stabilized a bit. The 6 foot -5 inch+ freshman can be paired with veteran guys and play more stay at home hockey.
i completely disagree on that its the "worst" in the national tournament next year. It's better than OSU, UMass, Cornell, Kato, Providence just rapidly this year. I get it, people love scoring from the D core but there are multiple ways to win and having a true shutdown top pair is something not many teams have.
We do need some scoring from the D, totally agree. This magic 10 goal threshold. Prior to Rinzel this year, last time was 06-07 (Vanelli). absolutely an area they should look at in the portal, but the season won't be lost if Gruba doesn't up his goal total from 1 to 10
The problem is we’ve seen that theory play out in the late Lucia and first Motzko year, if you don’t have any above average offensive minded D it’s gonna be a rough ride offensively. Them scoring goals is more a byproduct of having good offensive vision and keeping the other team honest with their ability to walk the blue line etc., you need that to free up time and space for the forwards.
So, as I was chatting with a friend on our recruiting situation. He kindly reminded me that the current class of Mr. Hockey candidates are committed to: WMU, WI, OSU, Mankato, Holy Cross, UND (and with the Berry situation, who knows), St. Thomas, and Vermont.
Did we miss out or did we not see the value?
Bob. At his insider chat with fans earlier in the season, mentioned MN talent being down these next few years. The landing sites seem to support.
The problem is we’ve seen that theory play out in the late Lucia and first Motzko year, if you don’t have any above average offensive minded D it’s gonna be a rough ride offensively. Them scoring goals is more a byproduct of having good offensive vision and keeping the other team honest with their ability to walk the blue line etc., you need that to free up time and space for the forwards.
oh i agree. More just meaning, don't get married to the goals. 21-22 we finished 6th in G/G. Our leading D scorer had 3 goals. You absolutely need puck movers.
It's actually one of the big reasons I think Chesley is back next year to see if his offensive game can develop as it greatly enhances his chances of making the NHL if he can show he can be a better puck mover/play maker. Don't think the Caps will be in a rush with him as his numbers are pretty similar to David Gucciaridi over at Mich St. and they've got Hutson in the pipeline as well and 7 guys under contract for the NHL next year. Maybe Chesley wants to go and play AHL next year. We'll see
With the recent departures AND the fact that North Dakota just had a coaching change, i wonder if there’s an interest in pursuing ND incoming freshman Zellers? Or any other high end ND commits..?
same for Notre Dame…with the coaching change. Maybe there’s a couple of MN kids that would like to play for MN and maybe this opens the door?
With the recent departures AND the fact that North Dakota just had a coaching change, i wonder if there’s an interest in pursuing ND incoming freshman Zellers? Or any other high end ND commits..?
same for Notre Dame…with the coaching change. Maybe there’s a couple of MN kids that would like to play for MN and maybe this opens the door?
I guess it all depends on if they had a relationship with the new coaches. Since both were hired from within, I would bet that they things won't change too much. It does allow the incoming recruits to get out of their NLI if they want, but I don't see many doing that. UND is still a good place for players to develop and their best player, the defenseman Livanavage has already endorsed Jackson and is staying. That goes a long way.
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With the recent departures AND the fact that North Dakota just had a coaching change, i wonder if there’s an interest in pursuing ND incoming freshman Zellers? Or any other high end ND commits..?
same for Notre Dame…with the coaching change. Maybe there’s a couple of MN kids that would like to play for MN and maybe this opens the door?
Word was many teams had contacted Zellers but it looks like he has a lot of ties to UND which would indicate he will be there in the fall.
He was at the game Thursday wearing a UND hockey shirt.Zack Zimmerman would look good in maroon and gold
I really, really like Zimmerman...but not 100% sold on him just yet. He may be a sophomore but that is because his parents sent him to school a year late, he's an early May 2008 birth year. I don't think he is going to get much bigger than he is now and a lot of the kids in his age group will catch up soon.
Well that sucks if true I've heard in the past the family is Gopher fans.
don't get married to the goals. 21-22 we finished 6th in G/G. Our leading D scorer had 3 goals. You absolutely need puck movers.
What made guys like Brock Faber and Ryan Johnson so special was there ability to handle a forecheck and deliver a tape to tape pass to the gopher forwards transitioning up the ice. Neither of those guys were big time goal scorers. To identify players/recruits with this ability seems most critical in Bob Motzko ran team.
Tanner Ludtke is one player I’d love to see in maroon and gold.
Have not seen him mentioned as much as others eligible to commit on August 1st but Gentry's Ryland Rooney looks like a fast-rising prospect. Currently playing with the Long Island Gulls. Recently signed a tender with the Des Moines Buccaneers.
Have not seen him mentioned as much as others eligible to commit on August 1st but Gentry's Ryland Rooney looks like a fast-rising prospect. Currently playing with the Long Island Gulls. Recently signed a tender with the Des Moines Buccaneers.
We should be/hopefully are going after him. Big kid for a sophomore too. Bob may want to see how he looks in juniors first, per usual lately.
Tanner Ludtke is one player I’d love to see in maroon and gold.
You should say the same thing about Gavin McKenna and Michael Misa.
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So what makes people think we have a shot at Misa?
I am of the opinion that Misa is going to attempt to make an NHL roster next year and won't play college hockey at all.
So what makes people think we have a shot at Misa?
There was a Podcast some time ago which mentioned they had heard Misa to Minnesota. It snowballed from there. I think it is a long shot.
I am of the opinion that Misa is going to attempt to make an NHL roster next year and won't play college hockey at all.
I think everyone is and that’s why he’s gotten no steam. He’ll be a post draft signing if he is going to play college or even if he did sign, it’s going to depend who drafts him