Ryan O'Byrne

There's some talk today in the USCHO message board that O'Byrne has committed to Cornell. It is too early too tell, but this freshman class sure looks like it has potential.

Also, according to the Recruits page, we have our first 2004 committal. Matt McKeown-LW (2/8/03). Anyone know anything about this kid?

[www.hfboards.com]

The mention I see is vandy (a mod) saying he has a NCAA "scholarship." Googling obyrne cornell currently produces nothing of hockey interest.

Needless to say, if this turns out to be true it is a real coup for Schafer and his staff.

It's on the official list of BCHL recruits.

[www.mytelus.com];

See #38.

Well, Ryan, if you're reading, thanks for making a wise decision! We'll look forward to seeing you contribute to the Big Red. And tell your other studly friends what a great place Cornell is to play hockey.

I think that qualifies as woofing... < knocks on wood for you > - wait 'til it's from a reliable source and cross your fingers in the meantime

The fans at Cornell will love the Mckeown kid. He is from the Hornby mould and hits like a Mack Truck. Any opposing player that has his head down for a second will be in trouble plus the kid does have some offensive touches too. I watched him at the Prospects Tourney last year and hes a great character player.

Chris Heisenberg's page has O'Bryne listed under Cornell, though he didn't include it as part of his updates on the top anywhere in the past few days. Hopefully this is better proof that he's really coming...

The Nanaimo Clippers' web site also lists Ryan O'Byrne as a future Cornellian. By the way, his current and future teammate Byron Bitz leads the Clippers in scoring.

[www.nanaimoclippers.com]

Good enough for me now... I'll call it official!

Funny how one of his teammates is going to Cornell, and another is going to Maine. Imagine the conversations between those three as O'Byrne was making his decision!

Looks like we are having a fine recruting year. (Boy, Clarkson is really paying a price this year, so far only one recruit.) But, I'm a little surprised we haven't gotten a goalie. Do you think Schafer is happy with Marr and Chabot for next year, or has simply so far failed to land any top prospect?

Lenny is a sophomore. Do you know something that we don't know, Richard?

I'm sorry. I mean assuming Lenny doesn't return., a very real prospect I'm afraid. I think Scahfer has to think about that.

Hey, no talk like that until we know we have a reason to be afraid. Has anything been said?

John B '98 wrote:

Has anything been said?

Nope. If anyone knows something the general public doesn't, it's Coach Schafer. Make of that what you will.

I don't think the team could recruit a decent goalie while Lenny is around. I mean, if he stays then a new kid would be all but guaranteed to ride the pine for two years. Plus, with possibly four goalies around finding practice time for all of them would be difficult. If Lenny does decide to leave we may be in a bind, but there's not much that can be done about it.