The Barr Has Been Raised at UMaine

[J.D.]

I remember Tim bringing in guys with gaudy stats that couldn't skate or play D. I suspect Barr would have dropped Josh if he didn't think he could play in HE.

That's tough to do when the younger brother is the crown jewel. Drop the other brother and maybe you lose both. Not like I have seen either of them play but the numbers from the 17 year old really stand out. I wasn't suggesting the older brother can't play. Just that the younger brother has to be one of the best recruits you've had in some time.

[OronoKO]

I like those numbers, but have no idea how tough the BCHL is this season.

Help me out here, fellow bruin, if you can.

(Yeah, I've explored the Junior rankings as well, and that's all over the place from year to year... Certainly hope these guys will pan-out, though. Maine is a lot closer to relevance than I expected right now.)

I think Josh was one of only 2 guys in the top 10 in BCHL scoring last year who isn't playing in Div 1 this year. Cameron Johnson is the other one and he goes to Harvard next year. And, of course, Felix Trudeau (#10) is with us. It's the best junior league in Canada by a distance (outside of major junior obviously).

[walrus]

That's tough to do when the younger brother is the crown jewel. Drop the other brother and maybe you lose both. Not like I have seen either of them play but the numbers from the 17 year old really stand out. I wasn't suggesting the older brother can't play. Just that the younger brother has to be one of the best recruits you've had in some time.

I haven't seen either one of them play but seeing as Barr recruited some good teams at other schools I'm going to say he likes what he sees in both of them. Time will tell as we all know recruiting isn't an exact science.

[walrus]

Also, Maine received a single vote in today's poll.

UNH got 4 or something like that last week after they tied Maine twice, T FF

[Fishman'81]

Also, Maine received a single vote in today's poll.

Does Drew have a vote..? :P

[Fishman'81]

I would caution the numbers on Josh as he's 19 and will be 20 at start of season next year. So doing it as an older player. But Bradley's numbers as a 17 year old? That looks like a massive get. Did they commit at same time?

IDK, I like Josh's stats, and 20 isn't old for a D-1 recruit.

Truly, this class looks like the best I've seen at Maine since the Whitehead era. Looking forward to seeing those guys on the ice.

If Ostman sticks around (and he should) adding these pieces could make a huge difference.

[UncleRay]

Does Drew have a vote..? :P

He might. UHN & BC both had votes last week.

[Wayuphere]

One more “what could be” post on the “Nadeau Show”. Bradly appears to be growing, fast, as teens can do. The added size(I believe he is up to 6’ tall now) to go with the skills will keep the scouts drooling.
Ex: BCHL All Star game skills comp, Bradly won hardest shot and Josh won the most accurate….nice combo for the Alfond. The current Maine resurgence with national attention should confirm to them that they made the right decision to come here.
If bored, check out some of the videos on the brothers on YouTube to see the incoming potential…

[umhockey91]

I don't want to create unreasonable expectations but on paper the signing of the Nadeau bros. is similar to Walsh bringing in the Ferraro twins.

The next piece of the puzzle to sustaining success for the program (other than winning) are the Alfond/Walsh Center renovations. Sooner or later the new AD Killy will have to emerge from his office in Memorial Gym and address the ongoing athletic facility improvements. When that happens I expect to see more concrete timelines and maybe some changes to the order in which things will be built and completed.

The lack of respect for Maine in recent polls is laughable. Yes their 15-13-5 record is nothing to write home about (neither is #19 Notre Dame at 15-14-5 or #20 Michigan State at 16-16-2....or numerous others above Maine "receiving votes"). Let's face it....if any other HE team had Maine's record and went 13-5-4 in their last 22 games.....they would absolutely be ranked.

[Wayuphere]

Lastly, they are from St Francois de Madawaska, across the St John river in NB, near Fort Kent. As Maine as you can get without being a resident…..

[Chuck Murray]

The lack of respect for Maine in recent polls is laughable. Yes their 15-13-5 record is nothing to write home about (neither is #19 Notre Dame at 15-14-5 or #20 Michigan State at 16-16-2....or numerous others above Maine "receiving votes"). Let's face it....if any other HE team had Maine's record and went 13-5-4 in their last 22 games.....they would absolutely be ranked.

Keep your powder dry, I'm sure Coach Barr is probably developing a riff to motivate his guys along this line.

Marginal results in silly meaningless polls isn't what Coach Barr was hired to produce at UMaine.

He is right on schedule (slightly ahead?) to get you guys playing meaningful games in the near future.

[amkirby10]

The lack of respect for Maine in recent polls is laughable. Yes their 15-13-5 record is nothing to write home about (neither is #19 Notre Dame at 15-14-5 or #20 Michigan State at 16-16-2....or numerous others above Maine "receiving votes"). Let's face it....if any other HE team had Maine's record and went 13-5-4 in their last 22 games.....they would absolutely be ranked.

I agree with this and was thinking similarly. Maine obviously isnt an elite team, or even a tournament team (yet, I do think they're close), but for them to only get a single poll vote is kind of a joke. People really wanted to cling to their preseason projection of being last in the conference and one of the worst in the nation.

[walrus]

Keep your powder dry, I'm sure Coach Barr is probably developing a riff to motivate his guys along this line.

Marginal results in silly meaningless polls isn't what Coach Barr was hired to produce at UMaine.

He is right on schedule (slightly ahead?) to get you guys playing meaningful games in the near future.

Screw the polls. Polls mean nothing. Keep winning.

[Wayuphere]

PWR is all I’ve ever checked. The rest is a beauty contest….

[umhockey91]

Screw the polls. Polls mean nothing. Keep winning.

Polls don't mean nothing in terms of tournament selection.....but they do mean "something".....they mean that you are being respected by peers and media for accomplishing something (winning).....fans and recruits see these polls....much more than PWR rankings. Only the hardcore fans delve into the PWR rankings.....polls are the public face of college hockey and Maine is nowhere to be seen which really doesn't reflect reality but will be accepted as such.