Most Impactful Freshman

[ugarte]

XV needs to be a little better on his primary responsibility so I'm going to suggest Gio and Hiscock, who I've been told are inseparable off the ice.

[Snowball]

What an embarrassment of riches this freshman class has been.

For me, it's Cournoyer, Vielleux, and Ryan — the same group I flagged early in the season. As others have mentioned, a lot of this is position dependent, with goalie being the most valuable spot, and Vielleux's impact on the power play being huge. That said, Ryan just keeps trending upward. We saw that absolute bomb of a shot on PP2 this weekend, and it feels like his confidence is growing by the game.

And yes, I'd love to see a certified boy meat-line out there mushing Quinnipiac and Harvard. In the pre-Covid era, the Malott–Bauld–Betts checking line, or the Mullin variation, was famously effective. That kind of line can have real impact.

[stereax]

Let's all just say thank you to Casey and Schafer for recruiting a stellar freshman class such that we're debating the most valuable one this eagerly, lol.

The prospect of the two French-Canadians fighting for top spot is very funny to me as well, given they seem to be very close friends irl.

[fastforward]

Let's all just say thank you to Casey and Schafer for recruiting a stellar freshman class such that we're debating the most valuable one this eagerly, lol.

The prospect of the two French-Canadians fighting for top spot is very funny to me as well, given they seem to be very close friends irl.

It's definitely a high bar (in many ways) to match! The height, weight and talent of the frosh is top notch!

[BearLover]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory

The class of 2021 was the best

[Trotsky]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory, so plenty of good candidates to choose from.

Depending what recent is:

'22 had 5 guys with > 40 points (Psencika, Penney, Rego, O'Leary, Mack) + Shane + Kempf and Suda on D.
'20 had 5 (Berard, Malinski, Mitchell, Stienburg, Malone) + Dirven and the Tupkers.
'18 had 5 (Barron, Locke, Donaldson, Mullin, Betts) + Galajda + Haiskenen
'12 had 5 guys > 60! points (Ryan, Lowry, McCarron, Ferlin, Bardreau) + MacDonald and Dias.  4 of them made the N.

By pure points scored in career:

396 '03
392 '12
376 '22 (Shane)
367 '18 (Galajda)
360 '07 (Scrivens)
332 '08
313 '16
316 '20

Farther back:

872 '65
842 '76
655 '68
614 '74
582 '78
544 '83
518 '00


The class qualification here is "first year," so for example it includes transfers' first seasons and the recruiting classes are off by a calendar year before Freshman were permitted to play varsity.

Quoting stereax' 59 first season points in the first 15 games, and projecting a 4-year career when we are decent at 140 games (remember we should get one extra RS in the next 3 seasons), this group projects out to 551 points!

[BearLover]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory, so plenty of good candidates to choose from.

Depending what recent is:

'22 had 5 guys with > 40 points (Psencika, Penney, Rego, O'Leary, Mack) + Shane + Kempf and Suda on D.
'20 had 5 (Berard, Malinski, Mitchell, Stienburg, Malone) + Dirven and the Tupkers.
'18 had 5 (Barron, Locke, Donaldson, Mullin, Betts) + Galajda + Haiskenen
'12 had 5 guys > 60! points (Ryan, Lowry, McCarron, Ferlin, Bardreau) + MacDonald and Dias.  4 of them made the N.

By pure points scored in career:

396 '03
392 '12
376 '22 (Shane)
367 '18 (Galajda)
360 '07 (Scrivens)
332 '08
313 '16
316 '20

Farther back:

872 '65
842 '76
655 '68
614 '74
582 '78
544 '83
518 '00


The class qualification here is "first year," so for example it includes transfers' first seasons and the recruiting classes are off by a calendar year before Freshman were permitted to play varsity.

Quoting stereax' 59 first season points in the first 15 games, and projecting a 4-year career when we are decent at 140 games (remember we should get one extra RS in the next 3 seasons), this group projects out to 551 points!

'18 didn't get a senior season, so you can't look at the stats. In their three seasons, '18 achieved two 1-seeds and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. Destined for a frozen four in 2020. Had one of our all-time great goaltenders and a Hobey finalist in Barron, along with incredible scoring and depth. I need not go on. But in my eyes they were easily the best class in recent history.

[stereax]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory, so plenty of good candidates to choose from.

Depending what recent is:

'22 had 5 guys with > 40 points (Psencika, Penney, Rego, O'Leary, Mack) + Shane + Kempf and Suda on D.
'20 had 5 (Berard, Malinski, Mitchell, Stienburg, Malone) + Dirven and the Tupkers.
'18 had 5 (Barron, Locke, Donaldson, Mullin, Betts) + Galajda + Haiskenen
'12 had 5 guys > 60! points (Ryan, Lowry, McCarron, Ferlin, Bardreau) + MacDonald and Dias.  4 of them made the N.

By pure points scored in career:

396 '03
392 '12
376 '22 (Shane)
367 '18 (Galajda)
360 '07 (Scrivens)
332 '08
313 '16
316 '20

Farther back:

872 '65
842 '76
655 '68
614 '74
582 '78
544 '83
518 '00


The class qualification here is "first year," so for example it includes transfers' first seasons and the recruiting classes are off by a calendar year before Freshman were permitted to play varsity.

Quoting stereax' 59 first season points in the first 15 games, and projecting a 4-year career when we are decent at 140 games (remember we should get one extra RS in the next 3 seasons), this group projects out to 551 points!

'18 didn't get a senior season, so you can't look at the stats. In their three seasons, '18 achieved two 1-seeds and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. Destined for a frozen four in 2020. Had one of our all-time great goaltenders and a Hobey finalist in Barron, along with incredible scoring and depth. I need not go on. But in my eyes they were easily the best class in recent history.

367/3 = 122 pts per season. Extrapolating and assuming a 1.3 multiplier for senior year, so 156 pts, that group would have gotten 525 pts.

551 is crazy work though, and this being projected off half a rookie season at current pace. Plus, fold in guys like Gorski, Hamilton, etc who haven't gotten (much) playing time this year.

[BearLover]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory, so plenty of good candidates to choose from.

Depending what recent is:

'22 had 5 guys with > 40 points (Psencika, Penney, Rego, O'Leary, Mack) + Shane + Kempf and Suda on D.
'20 had 5 (Berard, Malinski, Mitchell, Stienburg, Malone) + Dirven and the Tupkers.
'18 had 5 (Barron, Locke, Donaldson, Mullin, Betts) + Galajda + Haiskenen
'12 had 5 guys > 60! points (Ryan, Lowry, McCarron, Ferlin, Bardreau) + MacDonald and Dias.  4 of them made the N.

By pure points scored in career:

396 '03
392 '12
376 '22 (Shane)
367 '18 (Galajda)
360 '07 (Scrivens)
332 '08
313 '16
316 '20

Farther back:

872 '65
842 '76
655 '68
614 '74
582 '78
544 '83
518 '00


The class qualification here is "first year," so for example it includes transfers' first seasons and the recruiting classes are off by a calendar year before Freshman were permitted to play varsity.

Quoting stereax' 59 first season points in the first 15 games, and projecting a 4-year career when we are decent at 140 games (remember we should get one extra RS in the next 3 seasons), this group projects out to 551 points!

'18 didn't get a senior season, so you can't look at the stats. In their three seasons, '18 achieved two 1-seeds and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. Destined for a frozen four in 2020. Had one of our all-time great goaltenders and a Hobey finalist in Barron, along with incredible scoring and depth. I need not go on. But in my eyes they were easily the best class in recent history.

367/3 = 122 pts per season. Extrapolating and assuming a 1.3 multiplier for senior year, so 156 pts, that group would have gotten 525 pts.

551 is crazy work though, and this being projected off half a rookie season at current pace. Plus, fold in guys like Gorski, Hamilton, etc who haven't gotten (much) playing time this year.

Notably their junior season also got cut short before the ECAC tournament, so likely at least five additional games (2-3 ECAC quarterfinal games, semis, final, and then the NCAA tournament).

[pjd8]

Seems safe to say this is perhaps the best freshman class top to bottom in recent memory, so plenty of good candidates to choose from.

Depending what recent is:

'22 had 5 guys with > 40 points (Psencika, Penney, Rego, O'Leary, Mack) + Shane + Kempf and Suda on D.
'20 had 5 (Berard, Malinski, Mitchell, Stienburg, Malone) + Dirven and the Tupkers.
'18 had 5 (Barron, Locke, Donaldson, Mullin, Betts) + Galajda + Haiskenen
'12 had 5 guys > 60! points (Ryan, Lowry, McCarron, Ferlin, Bardreau) + MacDonald and Dias.  4 of them made the N.

By pure points scored in career:

396 '03
392 '12
376 '22 (Shane)
367 '18 (Galajda)
360 '07 (Scrivens)
332 '08
313 '16
316 '20

Farther back:

872 '65
842 '76
655 '68
614 '74
582 '78
544 '83
518 '00


The class qualification here is "first year," so for example it includes transfers' first seasons and the recruiting classes are off by a calendar year before Freshman were permitted to play varsity.

Quoting stereax' 59 first season points in the first 15 games, and projecting a 4-year career when we are decent at 140 games (remember we should get one extra RS in the next 3 seasons), this group projects out to 551 points!

'18 didn't get a senior season, so you can't look at the stats. In their three seasons, '18 achieved two 1-seeds and a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. Destined for a frozen four in 2020. Had one of our all-time great goaltenders and a Hobey finalist in Barron, along with incredible scoring and depth. I need not go on. But in my eyes they were easily the best class in recent history.

367/3 = 122 pts per season. Extrapolating and assuming a 1.3 multiplier for senior year, so 156 pts, that group would have gotten 525 pts.

551 is crazy work though, and this being projected off half a rookie season at current pace. Plus, fold in guys like Gorski, Hamilton, etc who haven't gotten (much) playing time this year.

Notably their junior season also got cut short before the ECAC tournament, so likely at least five additional games (2-3 ECAC quarterfinal games, semis, final, and then the NCAA tournament).

Not only do you have to consider seasons that were cut short, you also have to consider classes that got extra playing time. The advantage the current freshmen have is that they are 10 of 24 skaters on the team. That means they are getting to play a lot, and not just on the fourth line. They are also playing under a coach that is putting more emphasis on offense. It makes sense that we'd see more goal production from them.

[stereax]

Cournoyer is on the Mike Richter watchlist!

Notably absent from the watchlist: Remington Keopple.

Pretty interesting list overall, though. Both Dartmouth goalies are on it.

[chimpfood]

We oughta show some love to Ashton and Fisher too. Not freshmen but are newcomers that are big pieces for us.

Ashton hasnt had the offense I thought he would bring but he has been better defensively than I thought he would be, and plays more physical than I figured due to his size and low penalty minutes.

I don't think Fisher has been mentioned more than 10 times on this forum and I hardly notice him on the ice, which is actually quite the compliment for a third pair defensive defenseman. Not sure how he was ever a third round pick  but looks like he can be a solid defenseman for us for the next three years.

[scoop85]

When I created the poll I figured Cornouyer would receive the most votes and Veillieux would be the runner-up, but I thought the gap would be larger. And, I thought Long and especially Ryan might get a bit more love than 1 vote apiece.

I'll plan to do a similar poll at the end of the season (hopefully not until after we claim the big prize in Vegas!).

[Trotsky]

When I created the poll I figured Cornouyer would receive the most votes and Veillieux would be the runner-up, but I thought the gap would be larger. And, I thought Long and especially Ryan might get a bit more love than 1 vote apiece.

Long has been effective lately, he could wind up being the most impactful across the entire career.

Ryan is underestimated for his contributions so far.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

When I created the poll I figured Cornouyer would receive the most votes and Veillieux would be the runner-up, but I thought the gap would be larger. And, I thought Long and especially Ryan might get a bit more love than 1 vote apiece.

Long has been effective lately, he could wind up being the most impactful across the entire career.

Ryan is underestimated for his contributions so far.

I'm surprised DiGiulian doesn't have at least one vote considering his early scoring streak.  I guess it's "what have you done for me lately?"