2022 UVM Offseason

[Catfantoo]

Time for some UVM related news. This past week former UVM GREAT - Marty St. Louis signed a 3 year deal with Montreal after last years interim status as head coach. Obviously lots of media coverage in Montreal and Marty's news conferences never fail to provide great information. His approach to coaching philosophy is different and time will tell if it works. But always there is a few great lines during the presser.....This week the following:

When asked if other teams were interested in him as their head coach for next season. “My son’s bantam team, they were really interested in having me back,”.

Last Feb press conference after being hired as interim coach and questioned on lack of coaching experience, but relating to coaching his son's peewee team.

“Well, if anything, this team needs to have fun right now,” St. Louis said. “I know when they were in pee wee, they had a lot of fun. So, I’m probably the most qualified guy right now."

[Catfantoo]

Hey Greencat - Yes - Colton having another good playoff run this year after scoring cup clinching goal in last years victory. He's currently 3rd on TB in playoff scoring with 7 points in 9 games played. This kid has had steady development since he left UVM. Last high level recruit that Kevin got before he left the cupboard bare. Played his cards just about right. Had a very good regular season with 22G and 39 pts. Has 1 more year on current contract and then will be bumped into higher $. Good to see Ex-Cat doing so well. Our NHL #'s have dwindled over the last few years and time to get the talent level back at UVM and then let them develop into NHL regulars. We need some kids to come play high level and then if they move on early so be it.

[GreenCat]

Ross Colton!!!! Great goal in clutch yet again for Tampa! Glad to see his post UVM success.

[Catfantoo]

Thanks for the update - fits the profile - 6'3'' or 6'4" depending on different sources and 203 lbs. Todd likes this size in the forward ranks. During HS years was a top 10 finalist for Mr. Hockey in Minn. 4th round pick of Vegas - kind of high to not be producing a little more in the college ranks, 12 pts in 88 games. Maybe he blossoms in the right environment?? His twitter account confirms UVM and he says he's pumped to come east.

[TovarishchLisa]

Another from the Portal, Ryder Donovan from Wisconsin. 3 not-great years there, but he is a Vegas draft pick so he has that going for him lol

[TovarishchLisa]

Yeah, and I think the staff has done a good job in figuring out that this team's biggest problem was honestly talent tbh. The recruiting pipeline just was not there at the end of the KS era. The staff seems to know what they want to play, and I think they've done a pretty good job utilizing the portal to bring in experience guys who can help now.

[Catfantoo]

Todd and his staff are slowly working the transfer portal to get some solid/mid-level players to help stabilize next year. None of these guys are game breakers who will drastically change the team. But 1 common theme is they are all academic selections and to me this implies low maintenance players, and also being older they won't require much from the staff who can then focus on the young recruits.

With Oskar Autio Goalie transfer - Lisa summarized very well the 1A/1B situation. With Eric Gotz - you get a 5', 10" defensemen with 50 pts in 130 games, decent offensive stats from the rear. Probably some PP time and puck moving ability. With Finn Evans - you get a forward with size who can pop a few into the net.

To me the real progression of this team comes from the recruiting classes. Last year was a solid one, and hopefully next is as well. Need 4-6 solid players every year. I'm excited about the information regarding the two Minn. POY players coming and what I've seen indicates part of 23-24 class.

[TovarishchLisa]

More portal news tonight, we've completed the goaltending for next year, snagging Oskar Autio as a grad transfer from Penn State.

His numbers aren't great (.893 SV%, 3.14 GAA in 23 games last season)...BUT this is a Penn State goalie, and that's kind of an important asterisk because Penn State plays an absolutely firewagon, who-cares-about-defense style of hockey that leads to lots of goals for them, but also a LOT of high danger scoring chances against.

I'd imagine that since Todd seems to prefer 1A/1B rather than "ride one guy all year" that cements the goalie situation as Carriere/Autio 1A/1B, with Hudson as the "break glass in case of emergency" guy (albeit a much better one than we're used to at least IMO).

[TovarishchLisa]

Been a mostly quiet week, but UVM's snagged one from the portal: Michigan Tech D Eric Gotz. Per EliteProspects, he's actually the nephew of Jerry and Jim Gernander, both former UVM players.

[Catfantoo]

Two Minnesota players coming in future: Alex Bump. Minn. AP boys hockey player of year: must be multiple POY awards. Not sure what year he's coming.


https://twitter.com/alexbump14

[TovarishchLisa]

Also a pretty surprising bit of recruiting news tonight. Max Strand, who was named Minnesota's Mr. Hockey last month, has committed to UVM.

https://twitter.com/max_strand10/sta...95919452733440

[Catfantoo]

Thanks Lisa for the Portal updates. Let's dig a little deeper on Finn Evans stats. Tied for team lead in +/- on a poor team (8-21-2), tied for 4th in goals, and played in 24 of 31 games (must have been nicked up during the season to miss a few games). His 6 goals would have had him tied for 2nd in goals on UVM team. Improved during all 3 years (Princeton cancelled 20-21 season due to Covid). All Academic ECAC (no dummy, both parents physicians). Size fits the type of recruit Todd has been bringing in recently. So in the end you get a smart kid, who won't cause any issues in locker room, has size and probably fills a middle of lineup need. Out of the Toronto area and played at ST. Michaels College (Canada), my take is Todd or staff has had some interaction with him over the years (festivals, CJHL Top Prospect game, Ranked #129 in the 2017 NHL Central Scouting final rankings.)

[TovarishchLisa]

Transfer portal news, this time it's not someone entering but rather UVM plucking someone - Finn Evans is transferring in. Grad transfer F from Princeton. Numbers aren't great (10 points in 24 games last season), but the size (6'4") is nice

[Catfantoo]

Thoughts.....

Week off between regional finals and NCAA Frozen 4. All west event this year. Strong year for western teams, dominated the polls and tournament.

Interesting thread on BU Forum. They fired their coach of 4 years. Alot of speculation, after 40 years with 1 coach they'll be onto their 3rd in 10 years. Alot of comments relative to their program, etc.. If you have a few minutes worth going back a few pages and reading the opinions. Glad we have our coach secure and need to get consistent recruiting classes into the fold to elevate the talent pool.

Speaking of talent pool. I always find the end of season Pro Signings interesting. This site USCHO has a great up to date link to pro signings. Not every player goes to the NHL. Many fill the ranks of ECHL, and AHL. This year UVM has very few people on that list. Phil L. (who wasn't an original UVM recruit) signed an AHL contract. Then two players who left the program over the past few years signed (Max K. - BU, and Alex E. Prov). Again to me this is an indicator of our talent pool. Our senior class is a good group of guys but evidenced by their stats and lack of Pro interest the talent level wasn't where it needed to be. This isn't on Todd but the previous administration. Again this will change over time as well.

[Catfantoo]

YIKES - agree didn't expect to see that name there. Hopefully it's a formality and seeing what's out there for interest and he returns for Sr. year at Vermont. Leading defense men for Cats and captain. I've been told he's hugely popular in the locker-room. Being names Captain as a Junior shows the respect his teammates have for him. My only take is that he's looking for post season success and wondering if somewhere else gets him that opportunity. Many nights he was the one Cat player that caught your eye repeatedly. Lets see how this turns out.