Recruiting

Swampy · February 26, 2007, 10:46:57 PM

Is anyone else concerned about how this year's recruiting is going? By this time last year (by January, actually), we had this year's freshman class pretty much lined up. This year, we only have four recruits, but seven seniors are graduating. Furthermore, while the Devin twins and Patrick Kennedy seem solid, Johnston appears to be a bit of a project. The Devins committed last spring, so this year's total crop is only three recruits thus far.

Of course signing an A-ranked player like Riley Nash would be a coup and turn things around, but even here rumors are we're behind Denver on his list. One would think we'd have the inside track, with his brother already playing for Cornell. The only thing that might give us hope is that his failure to commit thus far might be because he's waiting to see if his "need based" financial aid package makes Cornell competitive with one of the scholarship schools. Even with Nash, it's not clear that the incoming class is an upgrade from the departing one.

Do others share my pessimism? Does anyone have a convincing case for being more optimistic (please!)?

calgARI '07 · February 26, 2007, 11:08:07 PM

They aren't losing a ton though I still expect at least one more defenseman and another forward as well. If Nash chooses UND or Denver then I'm sure Cornell will sign someone soon after. Plenty of good players have been signed this late in the season but again, Cornell is returning a lot next season so there isn't as much to replace as usual.

ithacat · February 27, 2007, 12:30:15 AM

That Cornell still has a shot at Nash is cause for optimism. North Dakota just picked up another forward, Frattin, out of Alberta, so they may be out.

It looks like 1 more forward and 1-2 on defense (probably depending on how comfortable the staff is with Johnston). Hopefully, things will get clearer soon.

ursusminor · February 27, 2007, 02:37:19 AM

[quote Swampy]Furthermore, while the Devin twins and Patrick Kennedy seem solid, Johnston appears to be a bit of a project. The Devins committed last spring, so this year's total crop is only three recruits thus far.[/quote] Joe Devin's stats don't look that great to me. http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&teamID=92096&clientID=1413

fullofgas · February 27, 2007, 06:49:03 AM

Any word on whether we may be losing more underclassmen such as Sawada and Greening?

Josh '99 · February 27, 2007, 10:53:59 AM

[quote ursusminor][quote Swampy]Furthermore, while the Devin twins and Patrick Kennedy seem solid, Johnston appears to be a bit of a project. The Devins committed last spring, so this year's total crop is only three recruits thus far.[/quote] Joe Devin's stats don't look that great to me. http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&teamID=92096&clientID=1413[/quote]Tangent: One of the players on Nanaimo's roster is Joe Bitz - a relative of Byron? (Doesn't seem like all that common a name, and Byron's page on the Cornell Athletics website says he has younger siblings.)

Trotsky · February 27, 2007, 11:00:56 AM

[quote fullofgas]Any word on whether we may be losing more underclassmen such as Sawada and Greening?[/quote]I wouldn't think so. They don't seem to be on the radar the way Sasha and Hynes were.

sah67 · February 27, 2007, 11:02:52 AM

[quote Josh '99][Tangent: One of the players on Nanaimo's roster is Joe Bitz - a relative of Byron? (Doesn't seem like all that common a name, and Byron's page on the Cornell Athletics website says he has younger siblings.)[/quote]

I believe it is Byron's brother...they're both from the same town in Saskatchewan. Don't know what his recruiting status is though...

CowbellGuy · February 27, 2007, 11:04:04 AM

Welcome to a year-and-a-half ago Hermo.

http://elf.elynah.com/read.php?1,70312

The Rancor · February 27, 2007, 12:17:07 PM

hockeysfuture.com did report that there was an early flight risk for Ray Swada over the summer.

bothman · February 27, 2007, 08:21:37 PM

I think the most troubling thing about Cornell's recruiting this year is that they have lost a lot of recruiting battles that they were winning in year's past.

Cornell does not lose a ton this year, but regardless, its recruiting class right now is not even in the Top 5 in the ECAC.

Cornell will be okay next year, but I guarantee you down the road, this class (as it now stands) will come back to haunt them....much like Harvard's current senior class (very weak) is cauisng them pain.

KeithK · February 27, 2007, 08:25:56 PM

[quote bothman]I think the most troubling thing about Cornell's recruiting this year is that they have lost a lot of recruiting battles that they were winning in year's past.

Cornell does not lose a ton this year, but regardless, its recruiting class right now is not even in the Top 5 in the ECAC.

Cornell will be okay next year, but I guarantee you down the road, this class (as it now stands) will come back to haunt them....much like Harvard's current senior class (very weak) is cauisng them pain.[/quote]
In the long term, the issue is not whether a single recruiting class is weak or strong. Some classes are better than others - it happens. The question is why you're losing the recruiting battles. I don't have any answer to that but hopefully it's as simple as bad luck.

ebilmes · February 27, 2007, 09:44:20 PM

Is Harvard's senior class this year really all that bad? Reese, Maki, and Duuuuu are all solid players and Tobe did well in goal on Saturday.

I'd really like to see a couple more good recruits (defensemen?) commit to Cornell for next year.

redhair34 · February 27, 2007, 10:46:30 PM

[quote ebilmes]Is Harvard's senior class this year really all that bad? Reese, Maki, and Duuuuu are all solid players and Tobe did well in goal on Saturday.
[/quote]

IMO it's a pretty talented class--I would argue it is more talented than the class they graduated last year.

bothman · February 27, 2007, 10:48:36 PM

Harvard's senior class is anemic. Reese has been great and so much of what he does doesn't show up in the box score, but the others have disappointed.

Maki and Du have been better in the 2nd half, but they also have a lot of points because they get a lot of oppty on the PP which has been very good. If you watch Du closely in a game, he just hasn't been the player this year that he has been in year's past. His mind seems elsewhere.

In my opinion, Harvard has a very solid recruiting class next year in the ECAC with Biega, McCollem, and Huxley all having the potential to be impact players. Dartmouth's class looks to be very good as well and what's real impressive are the inroads they've been able to make in Minnesota.

For 2008, Harvard beat out Cornell for both Kroshus and Killorn (BC, BU, UNH all wanted this kid). Colbourne, Grimshaw, Hegarty all will be high on the radar for 2008.