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Slap Shot.
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mlhouse
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OutofState OutofMind
Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
outofstateoutofmind wrote:
We’re really doing this again?
Every fan is allowed to approach their fandom however they want.I’m more excited to see a pipeline of all MN. There are others that feel the same. And there are many more that don’t care.
The Gophers and UMD have the same MN player ratio now with UMD going up over time. All MN teams can still win championships.
streakygopher
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Bonin21 wrote:
outofstateoutofmind wrote:
We’re really doing this again?
Every fan is allowed to approach their fandom however they want.I’m more excited to see a pipeline of all MN. There are others that feel the same. And there are many more that don’t care.
The Gophers and UMD have the same MN player ratio now with UMD going up over time. All MN teams can still win championships.
I agree I want mostly Minnesota kids. This ain’t Moosejaw U.
High quality kids are coming from everywhere now, and let’s grab them when we can. But get the best Minnesota kids.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Huglen has 2 Goals and 1 assist and Broz had 1 Goal and 4 assists tonight. [media]https://twitter.com/FargoForce/status/1368013671964770305 [/media] [media]https://twitter.com/FargoForce/status/1368008729040453636 [/media] frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
I’m as excited about next years potential incoming class as any one in the past few years. Lucius, Broz, Huglen, Pitlick, and Knies are a great batch. They will replace the 2nd line who will most likely leave ( McManus, Reedy, Ranta) and greatly improve the depth and the 4th line. The Gophers have been missing that 4th line that has the chance of creating offense the past few years. 
Norm- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs wrote:
I’m as excited about next years potential incoming class as any one in the past few years. Lucius, Broz, Huglen, Pitlick, and Knies are a great batch. They will replace the 2nd line who will most likely leave ( McManus, Reedy, Ranta) and greatly improve the depth and the 4th line. The Gophers have been missing that 4th line that has the chance of creating offense the past few years.
Don’t we have a policy here about having a 4th line that can’t score?
xyz
Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs wrote:
I’m as excited about next years potential incoming class as any one in the past few years. Lucius, Broz, Huglen, Pitlick, and Knies are a great batch. They will replace the 2nd line who will most likely leave ( McManus, Reedy, Ranta) and greatly improve the depth and the 4th line. The Gophers have been missing that 4th line that has the chance of creating offense the past few years.
I really hope that Ranta is not talked into moving on. I think he could really use another year of experience before he gets to the professional level. It isn’t as if he is a 30 goal scorer at the NCAA D-1 level, in fact he has only scored 34 goals in three NCAA seasons, and has nothing to prove.
Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Of course he could. And that would be a “bonus year” for us. There are situations where fans feel a player is making the wrong decision and are sometimes wrong but often right. If he goes, no one will say he’s making a bad decision. Now if Meyers, Walker, or any of the other forwards leave, I will quickly tell you it probably isn’t a good decision and they’ll be spending at least two years in the AHL riding the bus when they could come back one more year for a shot at a title.
BlueBandit24
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FWIW, The Athletic stated the vibes scouts were getting was Meyers would be back next year. I’ll never bedrudge a player for taking the opportunity to earn a paycheck playing hockey in their prime years. Also not going to fault them if returning to school for one more ride is their preference. The “right decision” is not the same for everyone.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
BlueBandit24 wrote:
FWIW, The Athletic stated the vibes scouts were getting was Meyers would be back next year.I’ll never bedrudge a player for taking the opportunity to earn a paycheck playing hockey in their prime years. Also not going to fault them if returning to school for one more ride is their preference. The “right decision” is not the same for everyone.
Chris Peters has also has published a piece about this as well. He said that Meyers has drawn a lot of interest but has informed the coaches of his plans to return so they can plan ahead on incoming recruits. It shows what kind of team guy he is and why he has a letter on his sweater. For those who have twitter, Chris Peters is a good follow for college hockey info.
Iceburg- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Luke Mittelstadt among the nominees for “Youth Hockey Hub’s” boys player of the year. frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler looks at the 2022 draft with his top 22. It includes 2 Gopher recruits, Ryan Chesley, and Cruz Lucius. Snuggerud is listed as a keep your eye on player. [media]https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNHL/status/1370057177965203456 [/media] Here is a couple of quotes– Lets hope the thought of both Lucius brothers playing together will keep Chaz here a year longer than expected.
Quote:Lucius will join his older brother Chaz at the University of Minnesota after his draft year, and I’m already excited at the thought of the two of them playing as a duo because of how well they fit together.
Quote:Chesley has consistently impressed me with the NTDP (of late with notable 2022 prospect Lane Hutson as his partner), flashing impressive four-way skating and puck skill on the offensive side and a tight gap (which sometimes includes an open ice hit) that snuffs out a lot of rushes in the neutral zone defensively. He plays a bold game.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Another good night for a few Gopher recruits. Braccini, Huglen, Pitlick, Kurth, and Miller with goals. [media]https://twitter.com/FargoForce/status/1370211857143889920 [/media] [media]https://twitter.com/FargoForce/status/1370214788052119560 [/media] frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Kurth with a goal already tonight. [media]https://twitter.com/fightingsaints/status/1370898817864847361 [/media] - GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Huglen with a goal and an assist today. Now has 30 points in 26 games. Plus, Snuggy gets one for USA [media]https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1371206795222474754 [/media] Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Not a lot of talk about the HS guys. Lamb (JR) looks like he’ll finish the regular season first in goals and goals per game with 34-28-62 in 18GP. Third in points per game behind probably-future-Bulldog Plante (SO) and Kukkonen (SR). With the forward backlog, I’d actually be fine with him staying his senior year with his friends then a year or two of juniors.
L Mittelstadt (SR) – 8-14-22 in 18GP
Williams (SR) – 1-12-13 in 18GP. I still don’t think he’s going to be a Gopher.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
[media]https://twitter.com/sfstampede/status/1371978973643673604 [/media] frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
[media]https://twitter.com/evegoe/status/1372575390535970822 [/media] Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Gopher Fan 26
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Bonin21 wrote:
Five Michigan players. It should be a battle between the Gophers and them next season.
It’ll be interesting to see how many of Bordeleau, Johnson, Beniers, Brisson, Powers, York, and Beecher return next year.
I’m assuming York will be gone, and I would bet at least two of Bordeleau/Johnson/Beniers/Powers leave. It doesn’t seem like many top ten picks play more than one year of college hockey, but off the top of my head I’m not sure how many of those prior highly-touted guys were drafted after their freshman seasons like the latter three of those guys will be.
uofm86
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Cardinal
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uofm86 wrote:
I did realize Lucius was as big as he is. I had it in my head that he was small, not sure why.Would Broz be a senior in high school this year or is he a year removed?
The younger Lucius was very small up until the last year or so it seems, but he’s currently listed at 5-11, 176, about the same as his older brother. The infamous-ish picture that came out when they both committed showed Chaz several inches taller than Cruz.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Broz, Kurth, and Knies will be playing in this game that will be shown on the Weds before the FF on NHL Network [media]https://twitter.com/USHL/status/1372639012956037121 [/media] 
Cowgirl- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
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The Hockey News Ryan Kennedy breaks down USHL prospects game. Here are a couple notes on future Gophers https://www.si.com/hockey/news/need-to-know-the-all-american-prospects-game Quote:Tri-City’s Matthew Knies has been absolutely snakebitten this season and scouts are wondering if it’s just bad luck or an omen. Knies actually took part in Team USA’s summer world junior camp and almost went straight to the University of Minnesota this year, but instead has struggled to just six goals in 32 games with the Storm. But with his big body and past performances, scouts wonder if he can be like Brandon Saad: a player whose numbers go soft in his draft year, but turns out to be what was originally expected nonetheless.
Quote:In terms of dynamic forwards, it’s hard to beat the NTDP’s Chaz Lucius. The University of Minnesota commit has missed most of the season due to knee surgery, but he’s been on fire since returning to the lineup in February. Lucius is one of, if not the, purest goal-scorers in the 2021 draft class and it will be fun to see him let loose on the big stage
Quote:Another interesting omission is defenseman Luke Mittelstadt, younger brother of Casey. Mittelstadt is at Eden Prairie high school right now, going for that same Minnesota title as Peart, but he started the year in Lincoln
Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Knies feels like a Reedy type to me. Star in his 11th grade year looking like a first rounder and falls off the draft board down to 3rd-5th round territory. If that means he’s a 4 year player like Reedy I think that’s fine because Lucius/Broz/Huglen/Pitlick could be guys putting up a big chunk of points while he gets up to the speed of the college game. In the clips Huglen looks like the USHL is a joke for him… It’s crazy. Very interested to see how he looks in college.
Bertogliat- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
glenhogan21
Bonin21 wrote:
Knies feels like a Reedy type to me. Star in his 11th grade year looking like a first rounder and falls off the draft board down to 3rd-5th round territory. If that means he’s a 4 year player like Reedy I think that’s fine because Lucius/Broz/Huglen/Pitlick could be guys putting up a big chunk of points while he gets up to the speed of the college game.In the clips Huglen looks like the USHL is a joke for him… It’s crazy. Very interested to see how he looks in college.
Most years I think you’re right. With USHL being only one of a few leagues playing I imagine scouts are at more games. Knies has been much better than production indicates. I bet he goes in 2nd round. I asked Pronman in last mailbag who we would take first Knies or Broz and he said Knies. He’s big, skilled, great puck protection, vision, does need to shoot more, especially since his line mates can’t finish
Vegoe
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0h4HMm9T9VX1jWdzMCU5jf?si=zMPwScvhQUqyWD-A5W0Qxg&nd=1 I love any time Ryan Hardy shares his thoughts on player development. One of the best right now.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Vegoe wrote:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0h4HMm9T9VX1jWdzMCU5jf?si=zMPwScvhQUqyWD-A5W0Qxg&nd=1 I love any time Ryan Hardy shares his thoughts on player development. One of the best right now.
He was on Craig Custance podcast too, didn’t listen yet
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frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Lucius stays hot. Hat trick and 1 assist tonight [media]https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1374528261162594314 [/media] frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Eckes
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Bonin21- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Goldy77
https://twitter.com/brennanboynton/status/1377059401727680524?s=21 Looks to be the top goalie in the USHL on a good Fargo team. Champlin Park HS grad
young gopher diehard
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frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Really excited with this get. I’m sure it helped that he plays with 3 other Gopher recruits in Fargo. He will be 21 when he starts the year, which I like for goalies to have some seasoning unless they are the next Adam Wilcox. Plus, he is Bob’s guy, and won’t be riding the pine as often as Moe did. Here is my perspective on where things are at right now. The new goalie is going to be on ther roster next year, he’s got two years of juniors and was the top high school goalie before getting that extra experience. If LaFontaine were to decide to leave, then they’re going to need to find a third goalie. I’d think the transfer market is where they might look if that happens. Dylan St. Cyr from Notre Dame and Matthew Galajda from Cornell are in the portal as well. Moe and Motzko just didn’t mix. The list of recent players in the portal courtsey of
[mention]NorthernGopher218[/mention] https://www.gopherpucklive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13388&p=977067#p977065 I think the forwards coming in for sure so far are Lucius and Knies who are going to be drafted in the first round and at least by the third round. Broz and Pitlick are two drafted forwards coming that are having great seasons in the USHL. Huglen is probably the next one coming as Motzko did have him ‘penciled’ in as a recruit before the injury setback — he hasn’t signed an NLI yet though, so I think it’s been TBD on what officially will happen with the seniors and Ranta.
The next tier of commits like Strobel, Pinoniemi, Braccini and Warner are guys I think get pushed out a year unless there are surprise departures. If Motzko is ever going to get the roster older, then recruits like these and him have to be on the same page. You could always see one of those players decide they don’t want to wait and go elsewhere–although with all those options in the portal it’s a weird time to find a spot. Commits expected to come in later include Snuggerud, Kurth, John Mittelstadt, Miller and Lamb.
On defense it’s not really clear what’s going on with Nick Williams–he could be finding a new home or still have to prove himself in the USHL. Keep in mind he committed under Lucia. The two talent defensive players in the pipleline are Ryan Chesley and Luke Mittelstadt–both are going to be drafted type players, but I don’t think either one is ready to step into college if someone unexpectedly leaves.
The pandemic has really impacted the recruiting of defensemen. Motzko and Raboin like to take older players at that position especially and see how they play in person in juniors before offering them. This year the coaches haven’t been able to evaluate in person, so this is a challenge. My speculation is that if they do have to fill a gap there, then the transfer market is the best option. There are experienced older guys in the portal that would probably be excited to play at Minnesota.
Motzko said when he first took the job that to get older, they were going to have to get younger. This is a key year for them to stay on the path to getting older. If there are any suprises, then they cannot do what the previous staff did and just grab the next guy in the pipeline.
I’m sure we’ll break all of this down on the podcast tonight.
trixR4kids
Yeah I was thinking the transfer portal would be one of the best places to get goalies. Whereas you’re probably looking at low end depth players for F/D in the transfer portal there are some experienced goalies in there who could provide average or better goaltending like the ones you mention above. We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022. Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
younggopherdiehard wrote:
We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022.Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
I think for 21-22 teams are allowed four overage 2001-born players, so still time if they’re okay with it.
“Teams cannot carry more than five 20-year-olds on their active roster at a time, which must be reduced to four by the third weekend of the regular season.”
Vegoe wrote:
younggopherdiehard wrote:
We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022.Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
I think for 21-22 teams are allowed four overage 2001-born players, so still time if they’re okay with it.
“Teams cannot carry more than five 20-year-olds on their active roster at a time, which must be reduced to four by the third weekend of the regular season.”
Yes, I should have clarified better. Could be a lot of forwards aging out of juniors after the 2021-2022 season meaning lots of ‘01s having to come in 2022-2023.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Do we know why Huglen hasn’t signed NLI? Is it scholarship thing or seeing how his health plays out? He sure looks like he could bring some skill to line-up. Funny considering the conversation on podcast about going 1-1. Huglen definitely does that, but is successful much more than most guys. His hands remind me a bit of Tyler Madden. I think Broz will help the PP quite a bit, might struggle with the heavy teams 5×5. His vision is very impressive though.
Hopefully Ranta and others stay and we don’t need to go to transfer portal. Lot’s of names, but not guys that could actually play for us. Ben Copeland and Colin Theisen are probably only forwards. Dylan St Cyr if we need to replace Laffer. Not sure how I feel about Galajda. Played behind a very defensive team so maybe not as good as numbers would suggest, also taking a full year off is a bit scary.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
maroon and gold
Jaykay3
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Just a reminder, that on Weds night at 7pm the All American prospects hockey game will be shown on NHL Network. Gopher recruits on the rosters are–
Chaz Lucius– Team blue
Tristan Broz– Team white
Matthew Knies — Team white
Connor Kurth — Team white
[media]https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379201431392108552 [/media] - GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
frozen4champs wrote:
Just a reminder, that on Weds night at 7pm the All American prospects hockey game will be shown on NHL Network.Gopher recruits on the rosters are–
Chaz Lucius– Team blue
Tristan Broz– Team white
Matthew Knies — Team white
Connor Kurth — Team white
[media]https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379201431392108552 [/media]
The B1G dominates that list for total representatives. I won’t attempt to extrapolate that further since it’s a fairly isolated situation, but from the outside it at least looks like talent is flowing into the conference on a competitive scale.
frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
Lines for tonights All American prospects game. [media]https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379909547226062848 [/media] frozen4champs- GoldenHas donated $ to the upkeep of GPL
[media]https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379950382273552387 [/media] gopheritall
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Hammy
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