Recruits 2023 and beyond

Trotsky

scoop85
“Currently committed to Cornell University…” hopefully isn’t meant to imply anything.

Yeah, I didn't like that shit one bit. But I guess it's accurate. And after a hundred years of schools fucking athletes, athletes fucking schools -- while not wonderful -- is certainly preferable.

Mark Sheifele was once "currently committed to Cornell University" before he blew up and ended up as a top-10 NHL draft pick.

Trotsky

scoop85
“Currently committed to Cornell University…” hopefully isn’t meant to imply anything.

Yeah, I didn't like that shit one bit. But I guess it's accurate. And after a hundred years of schools fucking athletes, athletes fucking schools -- while not wonderful -- is certainly preferable.

A Kitchener Rangers fan has a different agenda from ours.

Dalton Bancroft voted OJHL MVP

[ojhl.pointstreaksites.com]



NORTH YORK’S FEGARAS VOTED OJHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
[ojhl.pointstreaksites.com]


NORTH YORK’S GEORGE FEGARAS NAMED OJHL INSTAT TOP PROSPECT
[www.pointstreaksites.com]

Four forwards (Betts, Locke, Motley, Bramwell), one defenseman (Haiskanen), and one goalie (McDonald) are graduating.

B. Tupker and Howe entered the transfer portal but haven’t committed anywhere (yet).

So, we are losing 4-5 F, 1 D, and 1-2 G.

We are definitely bringing in forwards Wallace, Bancroft, Donaldson, and DeSantis, and goalie Keopple.

That leaves an additional 0-1 F, 1 D, and 0-1 G to bring in to balance out the players we are losing. No one else in the pipeline screams college-ready. Cobb (F) turns 20 in May but hasn’t produced in junior hockey. Sean Mahoney (F) only played twelve games this season. Jack O’Brien (D) didn’t put up much in the way of offensive numbers this season but is probably the most likely defenseman to come next year as he turned 19 in March and is an everyday player in the BCHL. We have no other committed goalies to replace Howe if he leaves.

Then we have a ton of promising 17- and 18-year-olds, some of whom will be drafted this season or next, but most of whom have limited or no junior hockey experience. Fegaras has played a year in the OJHL and is projected as a mid-round pick in this year’s draft, however. It will be interesting to see whether the coaching staff brings in any of these players. (We are also starting to pick up some promising 16-year-olds.)

I think most likely next year’s class will consist of Wallace, Bancroft, Donaldson, DeSantis, O’Brien, Keopple. Maybe Fegaras if the coaching staff thinks they need another defenseman.

An email from Schafer mentions that Gabriel Seger from Union will join as a transfer.

Also, Ryan McInchak, goaltender from AIC as a transfer.

blackwidow
An email from Schafer mentions that Gabriel Seger from Union will join as a transfer.

Also, Ryan McInchak, goaltender from AIC as a transfer.

Seger has played 3 years for Union, but since he'd have two years of eligibility left there, I am hoping that he has two years of eligibility at Cornell, should he choose to take two years to graduate. Per his Union bio, he was a computer engineering major there. He was Union's 3rd leading scorer last year.
Per hockeydb, McInchak has played only 133 minutes over 4 games in two years at AIC. The good news is that he's only allowed one goal and has made 50 saves.

These are Cornell’s first transfers in many years and the first of the active transfer portal era. Cornell and the Ivies not allowing grad athletes puts them at a big disadvantage at picking up transfers and I’m happy the coaching staff was able to pull this off. In particular, Seger has put up strong numbers on some bad Union teams. Based on his size (6’4), he could be more of a power forward. Between him and Winter Wallace coming in, hopefully the Red can shore up last year’s netfront weakness. The fact we have a goalie coming in indicates Howe will be transferring out (despite nothing having been announced yet as far as I know).

What is the sense of how good are the incoming Cornell hockey classes this fall and next? Reading the stats and end-of-season awards, every year it looks as if we're loaded and primed to reach the frozen four except that was two decades ago.

BearLover
In particular, Seger has put up strong numbers on some bad Union teams. Based on his size (6’4), he could be more of a power forward.

3rd in scoring last year; 2nd in scoring his freshman year. Perhaps more importantly, he's clearly not the defensive problem on those bad Union teams.

Big kid that can score and play defense, and who will likely be around for two years? Absolutely great pickup!

Wait, did we just execute a trade with Union, considering where Ben Tupker is headed? Who's the "player to be named later?"

BearLover
These are Cornell’s first transfers in many years and the first of the active transfer portal era. Cornell and the Ivies not allowing grad athletes puts them at a big disadvantage at picking up transfers and I’m happy the coaching staff was able to pull this off. In particular, Seger has put up strong numbers on some bad Union teams. Based on his size (6’4), he could be more of a power forward. Between him and Winter Wallace coming in, hopefully the Red can shore up last year’s netfront weakness. The fact we have a goalie coming in indicates Howe will be transferring out (despite nothing having been announced yet as far as I know).

I know I keep beating this drum, but we have the size to do better in front of the net. I think we had a lot of players new to this level of hockey who were used to dominating through skill alone at their previous levels. So, it'll get better through practice and experience.

I know we didn't love how last year ended, but I am very optimistic for the future, especially given just how ugly things could have gotten after the long layoff.

Scersk '97

BearLover
In particular, Seger has put up strong numbers on some bad Union teams. Based on his size (6’4), he could be more of a power forward.

3rd in scoring last year; 2nd in scoring his freshman year. Perhaps more importantly, he's clearly not the defensive problem on those bad Union teams.

Big kid that can score and play defense, and who will likely be around for two years? Absolutely great pickup!

Wait, did we just execute a trade with Union, considering where Ben Tupker is headed? Who's the "player to be named later?"

Seger should fit right in with and should be a very effective player in our system.

billhoward
What is the sense of how good are the incoming Cornell hockey classes this fall and next? Reading the stats and end-of-season awards, every year it looks as if we're loaded and primed to reach the frozen four except that was two decades ago.

While I'm not 100% sure who's part of this year's class--I'm going by CHN's list, which seems to include a couple of guys who I didn't expect to be coming in this year--overall I'd say it's a solid class, probably average to above average compared with recent classes.

The goalie, Remington Koepple, had decent numbers (3.06 GAA, .893 sv pct.) playing for a weak team in the top-level USHL. Assuming Howe is gone, Koepple should be in the mix for PT, with Shane the clear favorite to start as the #1.

According to CHN, Marian Mosko and Jack O'Brien are the new defensemen coming in. I am expecting Mosko to play one more year in juniors, but if he is coming in he's a talented kid from Slovakia who will likely be a mid to late round NHL draft pick. O'Brien is a solid defenseman out of the BCHL who probably won't be as much of an offensive threat as Mosko.

Up front the guys who seem sure to be coming in are Bancroft, Cobb, DeSantis, Donaldson, and Winter. Luke Devlin and Charlie Major are listed on CHN, but I don't think either of them is coming this fall. Of the others, Donaldson and Bancroft put up lots of points in the BCHL and OJHL respectively, with Bancroft named his league MVP and Donaldson as a finalist for the BCHL MVP. DeSantis and Winter put up decent but not spectacular numbers in the USHL and should be contributors at the college level. Cobb has struggled in the juniors since moving on from prep school, and is likely going to be a depth guy. But Alex Rauter had a similar junior history as Cobb, and he turned out to be a much better college player than his junior numbers would have predicted.

a) nice summary, thank you

b) you make this sound so upbeat (like the recommendation of a guidance counselor who likes you a lot): "Cobb has struggled in the juniors since moving on from prep school, and is likely going to be a depth guy."

c) how does a kid named Jack O'Brien not wind up at BC or, please no, Notre Dame?

c) So for 2022-2023 goalies we have: Ian Shane returning, started half our games, new Remington Keopple
(Des Moines Buccaneers), new Ryan McInchak (AIC transfer), is there a fourth? Departing are Nate McDonald (was senior; maybe going to Michigan State) and freshman Joe Howe? But then we made the 1970 championship run with one goaltender, Brian Cropper, and one about-to-be All-America lacrosse goaltender, Bob Rule, who learned how to lace on skates.

Scersk '97
Who's the "player to be named later?"

Harry Chiti

billhoward

c) how does a kid named Jack O'Brien not wind up at BC or, please no, Notre Dame?

Grades?

Schafer says in the same email that next year’s class will consist of forwards Wallace, DeSantis, Bancroft, and Donaldson, defenseman O’Brien, and goalie Keopple. Together with incoming transfers at forward and goalie, that exactly offsets the graduating seniors and players transferring out (assuming Howe ultimately transfers somewhere).

Join us in congratulating Justin Katz on committing to Cornell University. Katzy will return to the Warriors next season.

Congratulations Justin!

📸: @tamiquanphotos
#BCHL #NCAA @CornellMHockey pic.twitter.com/cl4Oc6E8ax

— West Kelowna Warriors (@BCHLWarriors) June 12, 2022

Elite Prospects [www.eliteprospects.com]

mensch... nudnik... mensch... nudnik

West Kilowna's announcement

Swampy
West Kilowna's announcement

Actually the announcement from last year when he committed to West Kilowna.

The second French Canadian Jew after Duddy Kravitz (if you have never seen that movie drop everything and see it immediately, Richard Drefuss' finest role which is a high bar.)

His Elite page. We won't be hurting for goalies, anyway.

Let's hope he's The Chosen.

In passing, this was the most recent name added to Elite. I demand we immediately recruit him just for the name.

Trotsky
The second French Canadian Jew after Duddy Kravitz (if you have never seen that movie drop everything and see it immediately, Richard Drefuss' finest role which is a high bar.)
His Elite page. We won't be hurting for goalies, anyway.
Let's hope he's The Chosen.

One of the best-known refs of 40 years ago was Percy Shore, of the Tribe, often partnered with Giles Threadgold. When Percy departed this world to see about Commandments 11-15 being real or not, his grandson tracked me down, asked if I could send a short college hockey remembrance because he'd been elected to the Ontario Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and "I know what you're thinking. Yes, there is an Ontario Jewish Sports Hall of Fame."
#MazelTough

Trotsky
In passing, this was the most recent name added to Elite. I demand we immediately recruit him just for the name.

And when he blocks a slapshot with his cup ____.

The Athletic has an article (with a paywall) where one of their NHL experts rates the top 131 prospects for the upcoming NHL draft. The only one with an ECAC connection is Ben McDonald, No. 79 on his list, who is committed to Harvard. The majority of the players listed are either European or playing major junior hockey in Canada, but three of them are committed to Boston University, which means we may see them at MSG next year. Only the University of Minnesota, with four commits on the list, has more.

Think the Harvard recruit is Ben MacDonald, who’s dad is former Harvard player Lane MacDonald.

Looking at various 7-round mock drafts, Fegaras seems a shoe-in to be drafted, probably in the 4th-5th round. Liam Steele may be a 6th-7th round guy, while Luke Devlin, who seemed likely to be drafted earlier this year, now appear to be a fringe 7th round guy. Mosko’s drafting picture seems the most muddled, as I’ve seen him as high as the 4th round to not being drafted at all.

George Fegaras drafted 83rd overall, the highest in the ECAC this year.

Ben MacDonald (Harvard, 91st) 3rd round

Daimon Gardner (Clarkson, 113rd), Ryan Healey (Harvard, 121st) 4th round

Matthew Morden (Harvard, 131st), Michael Callow (Harvard, 154th) 5th round

blackwidow
George Fegaras drafted 83rd overall, the highest in the ECAC this year.

Ben MacDonald (Harvard, 91st) 3rd round

Daimon Gardner (Clarkson, 113rd), Ryan Healey (Harvard, 121st) 4th round

Matthew Morden (Harvard, 131st), Michael Callow (Harvard, 154th) 5th round

Luke Devlin just selected #182 (6th round) by the Penguins

scoop85

blackwidow
George Fegaras drafted 83rd overall, the highest in the ECAC this year.

Ben MacDonald (Harvard, 91st) 3rd round

Daimon Gardner (Clarkson, 113rd), Ryan Healey (Harvard, 121st) 4th round

Matthew Morden (Harvard, 131st), Michael Callow (Harvard, 154th) 5th round

Luke Devlin just selected #182 (6th round) by the Penguins

I really hope we get to keep Fegaras (pray emoji)

What teams picked them up?

Fegaras went to Dallas.

billhoward

And when he blocks a slapshot with his cup ____.

I've done that! It's quite a memorable experience!

Was interesting when Ryan Walsh ‘03 (Salisbury/Buff Regals) committed Brown, always thought there was more. Now the Rochester, NY native will stay in-state at Cornell. Headed to BCHL with Chilliwack for upcoming season. #Roco

— Russ Bitely (@russbites) July 10, 2022

Follow-up tweet says Walsh is headed to Ithaca this fall.

Walsh headed to CR for the upcoming season now. [t.co]

— Russ Bitely (@russbites) July 11, 2022

I’d be surprised if this is due to Ertel’s departure, since we seemed to have adequate forward depth even without him. Andreev is now on the 22-23 roster, so Walsh wouldn’t be needed to fill that void.

I imagine CR is Cedar Rapids and he’s going to play a year in the USHL

pfibiger
I imagine CR is Cedar Rapids and he’s going to play a year in the USHL

Well, that makes more sense. Someone needs to tell Bitely that Twitter hasn’t been limited to 140 characters for awhile

CAS
Think the Harvard recruit is Ben MacDonald, who’s dad is former Harvard player Lane MacDonald.

Amazing how much taller he is than his dad. I met Lane a few times when he was at Alta Communications (PE fund). Super nice guy. I think he mentioned he married a Cornell grad who is a Cornell hockey fan?

RatushnyFan

CAS
Think the Harvard recruit is Ben MacDonald, who’s dad is former Harvard player Lane MacDonald.

Amazing how much taller he is than his dad. I met Lane a few times when he was at Alta Communications (PE fund). Super nice guy. I think he mentioned he married a Cornell grad who is a Cornell hockey fan?

Not the first time he fucked us.

Trotsky

RatushnyFan

CAS
Think the Harvard recruit is Ben MacDonald, who’s dad is former Harvard player Lane MacDonald.

Amazing how much taller he is than his dad. I met Lane a few times when he was at Alta Communications (PE fund). Super nice guy. I think he mentioned he married a Cornell grad who is a Cornell hockey fan?

Not the first time he fucked us.

Nice

Lane MacDonald was a "former Harvard player" in the same sense that Wayne Gretzky was a former Edmonton Oiler. It kind of misses the point. MacDonald won a Hobey and a National Championship with the Crimson.

Roy 82
Lane MacDonald was a "former Harvard player" in the same sense that Wayne Gretzky was a former Edmonton Oiler. It kind of misses the point. MacDonald won a Hobey and a National Championship with the Crimson.

Good fairy tale. I don't believe for a second that any of what you wrote actually ever happened. Especially the part where you compared a Cantab with Wayne Gretzky.

Roy 82

Trotsky

RatushnyFan

CAS
Think the Harvard recruit is Ben MacDonald, who’s dad is former Harvard player Lane MacDonald.

Amazing how much taller he is than his dad. I met Lane a few times when he was at Alta Communications (PE fund). Super nice guy. I think he mentioned he married a Cornell grad who is a Cornell hockey fan?

Not the first time he fucked us.

Nice

Lane MacDonald was a "former Harvard player" in the same sense that Wayne Gretzky was a former Edmonton Oiler. It kind of misses the point. MacDonald won a Hobey and a National Championship with the Crimson.

That 1989 Harvard team was spectacular.

Here's one that got away...I hadn't heard this story before.

[soogreyhounds.com]

abmarks
Here's one that got away...I hadn't heard this story before.

[soogreyhounds.com]

Yep, I believe he would've been in my class. I think his best friend from home was Mark Canduro, who I seem to recall had gotten Francis interested in Cornell. While Canduro was a nice college player, he sure wasn't Ron Francis.

abmarks
Here's one that got away...I hadn't heard this story before.

[soogreyhounds.com]

Ron's interest in Cornell continued though, as his daughter did go to Cornell. That was instrumental in his trading to Edmonton for the rights to Riley Nash, as Ron (Carolina GM at the time) had seen Riley play several games at Lynah.