Maine Black Bears 2026 Offseason: Missing Out on Mistlebacher

[tylerzx2002]

Barr was recently on a podcast called Mindset Matters, it was an interesting listen. He states that he knew within 2 weeks of players being on campus last year he knew there were going to be cultural issues. He says that last year everyone was scrambling to bring in CHL players without much due diligence, and how it was a big mistake. He heavily implies that they were grabbing draft picks because they were affordable NIL-wise, and that he turned down bringing in drafted players this year because they didn't seem like they were going to be a good fit for the team culture/living in Orono. It looks like last year was a big learning lesson for the staff.

I'd be very interested to see what players last year were being paid if anyone feels like submitting a FOIA request.

Was interesting to hear him talk about planning 3 to 4 years down the road being basically dead, as well as imploring players to spend as much time together as a team to develop chemistry that you used to get from having roster continuity year-over-year. Good to see him already finding ways to adapt to the new college landscape.

Not a shock hearing him speak about the influx of CHL players being a complete mad scramble. It was very easy for us to get excited seeing 5 drafted players which hadn't happened since the incoming 2008 class having 4 of them. It had been a while and it sucks that it didn't work out. Hopefully to your point they will be able to do more due diligence to not completely ignore the CHL and bring in guys that fit well.

 

[BlackBearHockeyFan]

We'll see how Barr does without the draft picks.

 

[NorthMike]

Barr was recently on a podcast called Mindset Matters, it was an interesting listen. He states that he knew within 2 weeks of players being on campus last year he knew there were going to be cultural issues. He says that last year everyone was scrambling to bring in CHL players without much due diligence, and how it was a big mistake. He heavily implies that they were grabbing draft picks because they were affordable NIL-wise, and that he turned down bringing in drafted players this year because they didn't seem like they were going to be a good fit for the team culture/living in Orono. It looks like last year was a big learning lesson for the staff.

I'd be very interested to see what players last year were being paid if anyone feels like submitting a FOIA request.

I kind of viewed the interview as Barr planting some seeds for a possible future exit strategy. Alot of the interview was fluff but when it came to how to succeed he is frustrated with what he has done so far, and he is a totally driven person to succeed. He is not a one school career coach if things arent progressing to his satisfaction.
A few key points he mentioned that led me to think this are the location of orono and how it can narrow down the pool of recruits to fit into his culture vision (this one is a cop out imo) his admission of how much $$ now drives recruitment and there are contracts for players involved, every year you stand to recruit mostly a whole team vs planning ahead, and lastly is his culture vision.
The culture piece is the big one. He has this vision of a culture that he admits is now difficult to obtain and he is not sure how to get there due to all the recent ncaa changes.
I think this next year is critical, he took another stab this year at recruiting to his culture vision, if it fails, one of two things happen. Since he hates failure, he moves on to another opportunity that offers more resources to succeed with his vision. Or he completely redefines himself and the approach on how to build a successful team. Idk we will see and I think people around him will help play a big role in this.

On another note, Sean Walsh to uconn - uughh.

 

[blackbears9]

We'll see how Barr does without the draft picks.

He did pretty well with only one in 24-25.

 

[grooverider]

He did pretty well with only one in 24-25.

Lol yep..sometimes you need a team

 

[blackbears9]

I kind of viewed the interview as Barr planting some seeds for a possible future exit strategy. Alot of the interview was fluff but when it came to how to succeed he is frustrated with what he has done so far, and he is a totally driven person to succeed. He is not a one school career coach if things arent progressing to his satisfaction.
A few key points he mentioned that led me to think this are the location of orono and how it can narrow down the pool of recruits to fit into his culture vision (this one is a cop out imo) his admission of how much $$ now drives recruitment and there are contracts for players involved, every year you stand to recruit mostly a whole team vs planning ahead, and lastly is his culture vision.
The culture piece is the big one. He has this vision of a culture that he admits is now difficult to obtain and he is not sure how to get there due to all the recent ncaa changes.
I think this next year is critical, he took another stab this year at recruiting to his culture vision, if it fails, one of two things happen. Since he hates failure, he moves on to another opportunity that offers more resources to succeed with his vision. Or he completely redefines himself and the approach on how to build a successful team. Idk we will see and I think people around him will help play a big role in this.

On another note, Sean Walsh to uconn - uughh.

I think if he was looking for an exit strategy his name would've been out there a lot more with Minnesota's opening. A lot of Minnesota fans floated his name, but I don't remember seeing anyone in the media float it once interviews started. He may not have been the top candidate but he definitely could've gotten an interview if he wanted one. Listening to how he talked about how special Orono is on game day, and how it's a truly unique experience in college hockey I didn't have the same takeaways RE him wanting to move on. He has been nothing but complimentary to the administration in Orono, it sounds like he's getting his way.

I loved my time at Orono, but it's ignorant to believe that the location isn't for everyone. Not everyone who grew up in Boston/Toronto/Minneapolis is going to want to go to Orono over a Boston school or BIG 10 campus. The same way someone who grew up in Alberta or the midwest might not want to be on a 50k student campus in downtown Boston. I didn't read that as an excuse, just an objective view of the situation.

 

[grooverider]

UConn is my candidate to take a step back this year. They lost alot of vets.

 

[grooverider]

I think if he was looking for an exit strategy his name would've been out there a lot more with Minnesota's opening. A lot of Minnesota fans floated his name, but I don't remember seeing anyone in the media float it once interviews started. He may not have been the top candidate but he definitely could've gotten an interview if he wanted one. Listening to how he talked about how special Orono is on game day, and how it's a truly unique experience in college hockey I didn't have the same takeaways RE him wanting to move on. He has been nothing but complimentary to the administration in Orono, it sounds like he's getting his way.

I loved my time at Orono, but it's ignorant to believe that the location isn't for everyone. Not everyone who grew up in Boston/Toronto/Minneapolis is going to want to go to Orono over a Boston school or BIG 10 campus. The same way someone who grew up in Alberta or the midwest might not want to be on a 50k student campus in downtown Boston. I didn't read that as an excuse, just an objective view of the situation.

He will get another raise. Soon.

 

[MBB4Life]

Barr was recently on a podcast called Mindset Matters, it was an interesting listen. He states that he knew within 2 weeks of players being on campus last year he knew there were going to be cultural issues. He says that last year everyone was scrambling to bring in CHL players without much due diligence, and how it was a big mistake. He heavily implies that they were grabbing draft picks because they were affordable NIL-wise, and that he turned down bringing in drafted players this year because they didn't seem like they were going to be a good fit for the team culture/living in Orono. It looks like last year was a big learning lesson for the staff.

I'd be very interested to see what players last year were being paid if anyone feels like submitting a FOIA request.

This was well worth the listen. Interesting takeaways.

 

[umhockey91]

While Barr might have more money and resources to work with.....he would face the same modern day issues everywhere. There is no easy path to build team chemistry and work ethic at the Penn States and Minnesotas of the world either....it might even be tougher. The UMaine athletic department is growing and changing quickly. We (Maine fans) are very lucky to have forward looking administrators and coaches in leadership positions right now. The NCAA in 2026 is not a smooth road to travel and is in a constant state of flux....kudos to those in Orono currently navigating it.

 

[umhockey91]

Michigan State already making quick work of the U17 Team 2010s on this first day of August....

Chris Heisenberg's 2027 List.xlsx

docs.google.com

Maine has been associated with Will LoSauro and Maverick McKinnon.....I wouldn't hold my breath with either one of them though. I'm sure that the same 6 or 7 programs will swoop in for the rest of these guys.

 

[tylerzx2002]

Michigan State already making quick work of the U17 Team 2010s on this first day of August....

Chris Heisenberg's 2027 List.xlsx

docs.google.com

Maine has been associated with Will LoSauro and Maverick McKinnon.....I wouldn't hold my breath with either one of them though. I'm sure that the same 6 or 7 programs will swoop in for the rest of these guys.

I would like to think Maine will be well positioned to make a run for Maverick but I definitely don't like that they pushed Malachi one extra year. Seems like he would have been able to make the jump this year and with how fast things change idk if I would have risked that.

We've had so many great sets of brothers come through over the years so lets hope they're a package deal.