Recruits 2026 and Beyond

[BearLover]

Recruits (in order of commitment date)

Tuminaro—looks like a big stay at home D, on NHL central scouting rankings so presumably ready to come next season. Not really producing but I guess that's not his game.

Dec—undersized 18 year old forward with over a point per game in OHL right now, which is very good. Should come next year.

Major—Charlie's 18 year old brother, similar build and position. Henry entered the USHL six months earlier than Charlie but hasn't produced like Charlie. Needs another year in juniors. Hopefully still has Charlie's upside.

Marmulak-19 year old forward producing under half a point per game in the QMJHL in his second year of juniors. Needs another year, but hopefully can dominate next year and then matriculate in 2027.

Broderick-18 year old forward ranked as the fourth best '07 NE prep school player by NeutralZone. That's definitely good but I believe most of the best prep players go off to play junior hockey before graduating. He should spend a year in juniors. Hopefully he follows the same trajectory as Ryan Walsh who also played all the way through prep school before blowing up in the USHL.

DiPlacido-St. Andrews senior D who has been producing more recently. Should spend next year in the OHL.

Peckham-rare Minnesota high school hockey recruit. He's a senior D at Edina High who should head to juniors after graduating high school. He hasn't really ever produced, and there are several D on his team producing more than him. So another stay at home D I would guess.

Ament-19 year old forward who hasn't produced in his first year in the WHL. Needs another year and hopefully will start scoring.

Emerton-17 year old D who is producing in the OHL, looks promising. Likely won't get drafted because he is only 5'10.

Wehmann-19 year old forward producing half a point per game in the WHL. Likely comes next year given this is his third year of junior hockey. Stats don't jump off the page but presumably the staff likes other elements that he brings.

Kirkwood-17 year old forward who hasn't produced much in his first year in the Q but hopefully will grow into a bigger role next season.

Dontigny-17 year old forward who has bounced around this year, QMJHL to BCHL and then finally back to the Q on a different team. Didn't produce at either of the prior stops but seems to finally be getting playing time (or at least is starting to produce).

Wotton-16 year old forward in the QMJHL who isn't producing but he's so young that he has lots of time to grow into a bigger role next year.

Puglisi-17 year old prep school forward who is dominating at his current home at the clip of 2 points per game. Ranked by NHL central scouting. If he gets drafted I suppose he'll come next year as a true freshman; otherwise he should play a year of juniors for seasoning.

Long-17 year old forward and Aiden's brother leading St. Andrews in scoring. Likely plays a year in the OHL before coming in 2027. Probably ends up similar to Aiden (which is a good thing).

Sullivan-16 year old D for St. Andrew's. Unlike his teammates DiPlacido and Long, he's only a junior so will grow into a bigger role next year. Bit of production this year which bodes well.

Arend-20 year old forward who OSU asked to explore other opportunities, but almost a point per game in the USHL is good. Hopefully his production isn't the result of him being bigger than the younger kids. He committed recently though so the coaching staff knows what they're getting.

Cirka-17 year old goalie rated by NHL central scouting. He's struggled this year in the QMJHL but he's 6'3 and young enough that the potential is there.


The general conclusion is: TBD. Most of our recruits need a(nother) year in junior hockey. Not many jump off the page currently but most are young. Fortunately, unless a number of our current players leave early or transfer, we won't have many needs next year.

Given the USHL is a low scoring league and mostly on par with the CHL, I'm treating production in the USHL and CHL as roughly equivalent. For example, I'd like to see forwards approach a point per game (in either league) before matriculating. But that's also a function of age. If you're 18 with a point per game, you're likely getting drafted. If you're 20, it's less impressive but still pretty good. Prep school kids are tough to evaluate but being a points leader at an elite prep school like St. Andrews is strong.

[Beeeej]

Recruits (in order of commitment date)
...
The general conclusion is: TBD. Most of our recruits need a(nother) year in junior hockey. Not many jump off the page currently but most are young. Fortunately, unless a number of our current players leave early or transfer, we won't have many needs next year.

Given the USHL is a low scoring league and mostly on par with the CHL, I'm treating production in the USHL and CHL as roughly equivalent. For example, I'd like to see forwards approach a point per game (in either league) before matriculating. But that's also a function of age. If you're 18 with a point per game, you're likely getting drafted. If you're 20, it's less impressive but still pretty good. Prep school kids are tough to evaluate but being a points leader at an elite prep school like St. Andrews is strong.

Speaking as someone who doesn't have the time (nor, frankly, the inclination) to do the research on this stuff, thank you. I generally have 99% of my focus on what the kids do once they actually arrive at Cornell, but insight like this provides useful color and occasionally some badly-needed optimism.

[Trotsky]

Recruits (in order of commitment date)

Tuminaro—looks like a big stay at home D, on NHL central scouting rankings so presumably ready to come next season. Not really producing but I guess that's not his game.

Dec—undersized 18 year old forward with over a point per game in OHL right now, which is very good. Should come next year.

Major—Charlie's 18 year old brother, similar build and position. Henry entered the USHL six months earlier than Charlie but hasn't produced like Charlie. Needs another year in juniors. Hopefully still has Charlie's upside.

Marmulak-19 year old forward producing under half a point per game in the QMJHL in his second year of juniors. Needs another year, but hopefully can dominate next year and then matriculate in 2027.

Broderick-18 year old forward ranked as the fourth best '07 NE prep school player by NeutralZone. That's definitely good but I believe most of the best prep players go off to play junior hockey before graduating. He should spend a year in juniors. Hopefully he follows the same trajectory as Ryan Walsh who also played all the way through prep school before blowing up in the USHL.

DiPlacido-St. Andrews senior D who has been producing more recently. Should spend next year in the OHL.

Peckham-rare Minnesota high school hockey recruit. He's a senior D at Edina High who should head to juniors after graduating high school. He hasn't really ever produced, and there are several D on his team producing more than him. So another stay at home D I would guess.

Ament-19 year old forward who hasn't produced in his first year in the WHL. Needs another year and hopefully will start scoring.

Emerton-17 year old D who is producing in the OHL, looks promising. Likely won't get drafted because he is only 5'10.

Wehmann-19 year old forward producing half a point per game in the WHL. Likely comes next year given this is his third year of junior hockey. Stats don't jump off the page but presumably the staff likes other elements that he brings.

Kirkwood-17 year old forward who hasn't produced much in his first year in the Q but hopefully will grow into a bigger role next season.

Dontigny-17 year old forward who has bounced around this year, QMJHL to BCHL and then finally back to the Q on a different team. Didn't produce at either of the prior stops but seems to finally be getting playing time (or at least is starting to produce).

Wotton-16 year old forward in the QMJHL who isn't producing but he's so young that he has lots of time to grow into a bigger role next year.

Puglisi-17 year old prep school forward who is dominating at his current home at the clip of 2 points per game. Ranked by NHL central scouting. If he gets drafted I suppose he'll come next year as a true freshman; otherwise he should play a year of juniors for seasoning.

Long-17 year old forward and Aiden's brother leading St. Andrews in scoring. Likely plays a year in the OHL before coming in 2027. Probably ends up similar to Aiden (which is a good thing).

Sullivan-16 year old D for St. Andrew's. Unlike his teammates DiPlacido and Long, he's only a junior so will grow into a bigger role next year. Bit of production this year which bodes well.

Arend-20 year old forward who OSU asked to explore other opportunities, but almost a point per game in the USHL is good. Hopefully his production isn't the result of him being bigger than the younger kids. He committed recently though so the coaching staff knows what they're getting.

Cirka-17 year old goalie rated by NHL central scouting. He's struggled this year in the QMJHL but he's 6'3 and young enough that the potential is there.


The general conclusion is: TBD. Most of our recruits need a(nother) year in junior hockey. Not many jump off the page currently but most are young. Fortunately, unless a number of our current players leave early or transfer, we won't have many needs next year.

Given the USHL is a low scoring league and mostly on par with the CHL, I'm treating production in the USHL and CHL as roughly equivalent. For example, I'd like to see forwards approach a point per game (in either league) before matriculating. But that's also a function of age. If you're 18 with a point per game, you're likely getting drafted. If you're 20, it's less impressive but still pretty good. Prep school kids are tough to evaluate but being a points leader at an elite prep school like St. Andrews is strong.

This is fantastic, thank you!  I do not know any of this, or have access and greatly appreciate all the information.

[scoop85]

Over the past few years I've periodically provided recruiting updates, but haven't had much time this year. Kudos to BL for an excellent summary of our current pipeline.

[BearLover]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

[CU2007]

Great write up, thanks.

[Beeeej]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

Poopyhead.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

Poopyhead.

Typical.

[stereax]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

When you're not banging the "TEAM SUCKS WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE" drum, you actually tend to have (mostly) good insights, y'know. Credit where it's due.

[Snowball]

This is fantastic, thank you!  I do not know any of this, or have access and greatly appreciate all the information.

+1 Thanks Bear.

[marty]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

When you're not banging the "TEAM SUCKS WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE" drum, you actually tend to have (mostly) good insights, y'know. Credit where it's due.

Fingers crossed. His post has value.

[Trotsky]

ugarte or someone must have DM'd all of you to be nice to me 

Poopyhead.

Typical.

}PROVICED

[stereax]

The one thing I've been thinking about...

Of our "top" freshmen:

Cournoyer - Cornell from the start [asterisk though, as he wasn't eligible until last year to consider it]
Veilleux - Harvard->Cornell
Ryan - Colgate->Clarkson->Cornell
DiGiulian - Cornell from the start
Hiscock - Northeastern->Cornell
Long - Cornell from the start

Gorski, McCrady, Arseneault, Pirtle, Hamilton, Roest all seem to have committed straight to Cornell. (Did y'all know Hamilton played for the Omaha Lancers? Poor kid.)

Plus two transfers (Ashton from Minn State, Fisher from Northeastern).

So what this is telling me is about... half our top freshmen weren't originally committed here.

Similarly, don't expect every 16-year-old commit to Cornell to actually come here 3-4 years later. Obviously we hope they all do, but it can't be wholly unexpected if someone switches their commitment. I mean, hell, wasn't Walsh originally a Brown commit?

(The older guys are obviously more likely - I wouldn't expect Arend, for instance, to jump ship, but he also didn't originally commit here.)

[RichH]

The one thing I've been thinking about...

Of our "top" freshmen:

Cournoyer - Cornell from the start [asterisk though, as he wasn't eligible until last year to consider it]
Veilleux - Harvard->Cornell
Ryan - Colgate->Clarkson->Cornell
DiGiulian - Cornell from the start
Hiscock - Northeastern->Cornell
Long - Cornell from the start

Gorski, McCrady, Arseneault, Pirtle, Hamilton, Roest all seem to have committed straight to Cornell. (Did y'all know Hamilton played for the Omaha Lancers? Poor kid.)

Plus two transfers (Ashton from Minn State, Fisher from Northeastern).

So what this is telling me is about... half our top freshmen weren't originally committed here.

Similarly, don't expect every 16-year-old commit to Cornell to actually come here 3-4 years later. Obviously we hope they all do, but it can't be wholly unexpected if someone switches their commitment. I mean, hell, wasn't Walsh originally a Brown commit?

(The older guys are obviously more likely - I wouldn't expect Arend, for instance, to jump ship, but he also didn't originally commit here.)

A coaching change can shake things up (especially considering Ryan). And the days of commits staying committed is gonzo. I don't care about the NIL debate or even looking at anyone before arriving, but it is a new era.

[stereax]

The one thing I've been thinking about...

Of our "top" freshmen:

Cournoyer - Cornell from the start [asterisk though, as he wasn't eligible until last year to consider it]
Veilleux - Harvard->Cornell
Ryan - Colgate->Clarkson->Cornell
DiGiulian - Cornell from the start
Hiscock - Northeastern->Cornell
Long - Cornell from the start

Gorski, McCrady, Arseneault, Pirtle, Hamilton, Roest all seem to have committed straight to Cornell. (Did y'all know Hamilton played for the Omaha Lancers? Poor kid.)

Plus two transfers (Ashton from Minn State, Fisher from Northeastern).

So what this is telling me is about... half our top freshmen weren't originally committed here.

Similarly, don't expect every 16-year-old commit to Cornell to actually come here 3-4 years later. Obviously we hope they all do, but it can't be wholly unexpected if someone switches their commitment. I mean, hell, wasn't Walsh originally a Brown commit?

(The older guys are obviously more likely - I wouldn't expect Arend, for instance, to jump ship, but he also didn't originally commit here.)

A coaching change can shake things up (especially considering Ryan). And the days of commits staying committed is gonzo. I don't care about the NIL debate or even looking at anyone before arriving, but it is a new era.

For sure, coaching changes can do a lot. But yeah, my point was more "don't expect every commit to stay and don't be surprised if we lose a guy or two". (See: Pelletier...)