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UML Recruiting: Finally in the 20s!

Pretty quiet on the recruiting front. Apparently, someone from the staff was in Sherbrooke the other night.

Mark Divver
Sherbrooke's the place to be tonight if you're an NCAA recruiter Providence, BC, BU, Harvard, Lowell, Maine, Vermont, Merrimack, SLU and more represented at QMJHL Prospects Game
 
Recruit stats as of 11/2/25.

Regular Season
RecruitDOBPos.TeamNZGPGA T
Jack Solomon02/17/05GLincoln (USHL) / Austin (NAHL)3.5053.990.855
Nick Romeo05/02/05FCedar Rapids (USHL)3.751346 10
Lucas Busch09/29/05FSurrey (BCHL)3.2514347
Aidan Dyer12/28/05FChicago (USHL)3.7513033
Elliot Gulley12/29/05FGreen Bay (USHL)3.75157916
Charlie Kresl01/27/06FBismarck (NAHL)3.75156814
Easton Jacobs01/29/06FSurrey (BCHL)3.759202
Carson Olsen03/03/06DCamloops (WHL)3.7516134
Abzal Alibek03/29/06FPhilidelphia (NAHL) N/A194913
Ryan Kroll04/04/06DDes Moines (USHL)3.7514033
Wyatt Herres01/27/07DWaterloo (USHL)3.5010000
Kyle Jones02/27/07GMoose Jaw (WHL)4.00104.310.869
Stephen Grumley04/29/07DSherwood Park (BCHL)3.75147815
Tristen Buckley12/19/07FSpokane (WHL)3.759112
Owen McCarthy02/20/08DTrail (BCHL)4.0014044
Anthony Pedalino04/29/08DWoodbridge (U18 AAA)3.5015101
 
Seeing how many players could be on the roster next year (with the current baseline returning and the list of commits for 2026), I'm not that surprised that recruiting is quiet. But I'd also guess there are other schools that are somewhat in the same situation.

So since I'm bored this morning, I've put together a list of future commits by school in HE along with how many commitments (for 2026 and beyond) have been made in 2025 alone.

  • BC -- 16 total commits for 2026 and beyond, 4 commitments for 2026 and beyond received in calendar year 2025
  • BU -- 17 and 9
  • UConn -- 20 and 12
  • Maine -- 34 and 8
  • UMass -- 32 and 14
  • Lowell -- 16 and 2
  • Merrimack -- 30 and 6
  • UNH -- 17 and 4
  • Northeastern -- 21 and 12
  • Providence -- 21 and 5
  • Vermont -- 19 and 4
I'll admit that I'm not sure what this actually shows though. I felt at one point last year, I thought (and noted) that Bazin had finally changed a bit on his recruiting getting 6 commits that were 2 to 3 years out (in other words younger players with theoretically more upside). But it's tough to tell if that really was a one-time thing because of the current roster size (and 2026 commits)?
 
Seeing how many players could be on the roster next year (with the current baseline returning and the list of commits for 2026), I'm not that surprised that recruiting is quiet. But I'd also guess there are other schools that are somewhat in the same situation.

So since I'm bored this morning, I've put together a list of future commits by school in HE along with how many commitments (for 2026 and beyond) have been made in 2025 alone.

  • BC -- 16 total commits for 2026 and beyond, 4 commitments for 2026 and beyond received in calendar year 2025
  • BU -- 17 and 9
  • UConn -- 20 and 12
  • Maine -- 34 and 8
  • UMass -- 32 and 14
  • Lowell -- 16 and 2
  • Merrimack -- 30 and 6
  • UNH -- 17 and 4
  • Northeastern -- 21 and 12
  • Providence -- 21 and 5
  • Vermont -- 19 and 4
I'll admit that I'm not sure what this actually shows though. I felt at one point last year, I thought (and noted) that Bazin had finally changed a bit on his recruiting getting 6 commits that were 2 to 3 years out (in other words younger players with theoretically more upside). But it's tough to tell if that really was a one-time thing because of the current roster size (and 2026 commits)?
It appears they will have a few more years before they have to get down to a 26-man roster. I would assume Norm designated as many players as possible.

The “Grandfather Rule” Exception

An important caveat to the strict roster limits is the “grandfathering” provision. Current or incoming 2025-26 student-athletes who were already on a roster or had a promised spot and would otherwise be cut due to the new limits are designated as “Designated Student-Athletes.” These individuals do not count against the 26-player limit for their remaining eligibility at their original institution or any transfer institution. However, once these players complete their eligibility, the strict 26-player cap will apply, reinforcing that the new system streamlines roster management: the number of players a team can carry is now the number they can offer aid (including scholarships and direct payments) to, up to that specific sport’s roster cap.
 
It appears they will have a few more years before they have to get down to a 26-man roster. I would assume Norm designated as many players as possible.


Especially with such a large freshman class, hopefully they can take advantage of this rule for a few more years
 
A new recruit?
Neutral Zone is showing '05 Swedish defenseman Edvin Nilsson as a Lowell recruit. Edvin is currently playing for Vernon (BCHL) and has a 4.0 NZ rating. I haven't found any other information on his commitment. The Heisenberg site has him as a UMass recruit. According to the latest lineup sheet he is not committed.

Nilsson—a 2005 left-shot defenseman committed to UMass Lowell—is an undersized (just under 6′) but highly effective two-way blueliner whose smooth stride and excellent top-end speed make him an elite transitional piece out of the defensive zone. He handles the puck with poise—excellent hands, tight control, and strong passing vision—allowing him to consistently move play up ice and quarterback rushes; he’s comfortable jumping into the attack when the play allows, yet also reads the game well enough to make smart, timely decisions in his own end. A trusted, high-minute workhorse for the Vipers, Nilsson led the team with north of 26 minutes in this game and is heavily relied upon in all situations, serving as a key contributor on both the top power play and penalty kill. He is a dependable, puck-moving defenseman with pro-style mobility and playmaking upside. Grade: B+
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/534820/edvin-nilsson
 
There's plenty of evidence he was a Umass commit. The Umass logo was on Vernon lineup sheets up until Sept 27th, however his player profile on BCHL.com has Umass listed. College Hockey Inc also has him as currently committed to Lowell as of 8/18/25, the same day as Elliot Gulley. Seems odd. Something to monitor since Vernon removed the Umass logo from lineups.
 
Considering we have 8 defensemen for next year set to return next season, and then have three commits that are either '06 or '07 birth years, I guess it's possible that one of the latter three gets moved out another year?

Defense (11):
Seniors: Sean Kilcullen
Juniors: Daniel Buchbinder
Sophomore: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Freshmen: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen
 
Considering we have 8 defensemen for next year set to return next season, and then have three commits that are either '06 or '07 birth years, I guess it's possible that one of the latter three gets moved out another year?

Defense (11):
Seniors: Sean Kilcullen
Juniors: Daniel Buchbinder
Sophomore: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Freshmen: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen
Considering Buchbinder was hurt in the first game, he would be a medical redshirt and could do a grad year. Not sure if you want to mention that since I assume you're listing by class and not eligibility
 
Considering we have 8 defensemen for next year set to return next season, and then have three commits that are either '06 or '07 birth years, I guess it's possible that one of the latter three gets moved out another year?

Defense (11):
Seniors: Sean Kilcullen
Juniors: Daniel Buchbinder
Sophomore: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Freshmen: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen
Should be interesting. Grumley is the most productive defenseman in the BCHL right now, but Olsen and Kroll are playing in better leagues. I wonder if the coaches would prefer to bring Grumley in with some momentum if he has a huge season and have one of the other two go back.
 
I don't think in the over 3+ decades of following this program that I've ever seen four players decommit at almost the same time.
What do you think that means? My guess is Norm didn’t work out a contract extension and it’s now known he isn’t coming back. It might also explain the team’s poor play this weekend.
 
What do you think that means? My guess is Norm didn’t work out a contract extension and it’s now known he isn’t coming back. It might also explain the team’s poor play this weekend.
Personally, I think that these four (being all 05s) see that playing time here next year will be tough. As I put together the roster for next season, we had over 30 which is a large group of players. I can see Bazin and Co going back to the Major Junior ranks next year to try and fill a spot or two.

But honesty, I really have no idea what's going on. The program has grown stagnant the past few years.
 
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