2024-2025 Season - Providence College

[PaulKorea]

A very good season in the books. Could bode well for 2025-26, (depending on whether we are helped or hurt by the portal). I am also concerned about the crazy deterioration in US relations with Canada, (who could have imagined that would happen), and the impact of NIL on college athletics. I personally liked the world where amateur athletes were playing for their school and team and appreciated the value of their education and scholarship opportunities.

In prior seasons my posts were almost always driven by Zlax who never had anything good to say and an irrational prejudice against the coach. This year was very different and the absence of his posts was a surprising positive development.

I hope you all have a good offseason, the college hockey season is very long so it is difficult to break the habit of following it. Next task for me is canceling my ESPN+ subscription until October!

Thanks to all the readers and posters on this thread. All the best PC fans!

Echoing your comments as well. Obviously not the result I wanted, but credit to Denver recruiting when they landed 2 Buium's in different years.

I liked the progress over the course of the year from the freshmen class. Connelly with his multiple injuries was hard to grade but the talent is there. Mustard developed nicely over the course of the year, as did Sawyer. Bales started to come along in the last couple months of the season. Kivioja impressed down the stretch with added playing time as well. Hard not to like Machu's game, his progression as well makes for a solid sophomore core for next year if the portal doesn't take any of them away. Up and down the roster was an improvement from several years ago where they had a few poor classes, or had more misses than hits. Looks like it was the freshman group from 2019-20, then the following year we got Brett, Yoder, Ruikka and Poisson as the only freshmen in 20-21. It took a few years for the roster to recover and reshape to what it was this year. They could roll out four solid forward lines six solid defensemen.

I felt Yoder regressed significantly this year and losing him only really hurts for the leadership. The biggest loss for the forwards group of graduating players is Logan Will. He was an outstanding find but will have to hope they get some good returns through the portal again this year. Defense looks like where they're going to lose the most, and depending on if Svedeback leaves or not, we would lose 2 or 3 of the goaltenders. As it is now, with the defense, the team has: Bales, May, Centrella and Meritahti who I don't recall seeing get in a game this year. Yikes.

Between scheduling tough out of conference and finishing in the top half of Hockey East, it was a positive step for the team this year. They managed to hang in there often with the teams above them in-conference, just couldn't grab too many wins in the second half yet managed to stay around top half of tournament-eligible Pairwise through the season. For a program that felt like this was a reset year, they exceeded my expectations. Hopefully a steady offseason and retaining the core of the remaining players and back in October.

 

[PaulKorea]

And Meritahti to the portal. If he only appeared in one game this will have about the same impact of other 4th-line/depth players leaving the past couple years. Already some interesting names in there, some that hopefully land at PC but I'm sure the bigger the NIL deal the top-tier players can get will persuade them to go elsewhere.

 

[evilhag]

And Meritahti to the portal. If he only appeared in one game this will have about the same impact of other 4th-line/depth players leaving the past couple years. Already some interesting names in there, some that hopefully land at PC but I'm sure the bigger the NIL deal the top-tier players can get will persuade them to go elsewhere.

Echoing this, lots of portal activity ... will be interesting to see how/where the money talks.

Now that the season is over, who amongst the remaining are we expecting to wear letters next year? Any line predictions for next season?

 

[PaulKorea]

Tough call on who the captains would be. Judging by the current roster I'd have to think Malinoski would be one of them, maybe Tanner as well. Gamache? Not a lot to work with, as May would be the only current junior besides Svedeback, going into senior year if they stay. I think Centrella progressed over the course of the year, or from year 1 to 2, but wouldn't be disappointed if it was May as Captain, Centrella and Malinoski as alternates.

 

[PaulKorea]

Connelly signs with Vegas. Would've liked to see him stay a second year, put on some weight/muscle, play a more injury-free college season but think a high profile recruit like that benefits Providence for the future. It may not be perceived as a top destination in division 1, but it's a steady, stable program that's consistently competitive. Breaking the no-tournament streak after coming close several years is a step in the right direction. On Connelly signing with Vegas, I'd rather lose him to the pros than another NCAA team.

On the subject of Connelly, I felt as the year developed that Mustard was improving and often in that role of primary puckhandler the same way Trevor would be, or Brett Berard was. He showed a good skill set with improvements month-over-month, so hopefully he sticks with Providence and continues his growth as a player.

 

[evilhag]

Tough call on who the captains would be. Judging by the current roster I'd have to think Malinoski would be one of them, maybe Tanner as well. Gamache? Not a lot to work with, as May would be the only current junior besides Svedeback, going into senior year if they stay. I think Centrella progressed over the course of the year, or from year 1 to 2, but wouldn't be disappointed if it was May as Captain, Centrella and Malinoski as alternates.

Looks like May entered the transfer portal per Mark Divver on Twitter.

 

[PaulKorea]

I was just coming by to update. So far next year's d-core looks to be eight? Donovan McCoy from the CHL, Machu, Centrella, and a few recruits. I overlooked the leading scorer from the QMJHL arriving in the fall. Overage for juniors but can't hurt to add a body that could be an immediate contributor on offense, potential leadership role.

 

[PaulKorea]

That's pretty wild that if May doesn't decide to stay, that leaves Svedeback as the lone senior. I don't know if anybody can answer if there's been a time for Senior Night that there were 1 or 0 seniors celebrated?

 

[evilhag]

That's pretty wild that if May doesn't decide to stay, that leaves Svedeback as the lone senior. I don't know if anybody can answer if there's been a time for Senior Night that there were 1 or 0 seniors celebrated?

Yeah... I was caught off guard by the May portal entry this morning. Is Svedeback confirmed returning?

 

[PaulKorea]

I haven't seen anything on Svedeback. With Boston holding his rights and their goalies that the AHL and ECHL teams are carrying, there doesn't seem to be any room for him this year other than to sit and learn. Or, return to PC for a fourth year which I hope that he does.

 

[PaulKorea]

A transfer from Alaska (the good team), another from USports Canadian hockey. I like the additions thus far. Happy for May if he felt he found a better fit, will cheer for him except when his team plays PC. A little shift in recruiting with utilizing the CHL being available to NCAA teams. Looks more like leadership with older players brought in with growing class moving from freshman to sophomore year in the fall. Svedeback seems to be returning, Parsons incoming as his backup might be like the Borgiel role but let him develop before he becomes the #1 the following year.

 

[evilhag]

Excited to see how this new team gels and how it stacks up against last season's. With so many seniors/graduate students gone, it feels like a new era. Whether it's for better or for worse... time will tell. Counting down the days til college hockey is back!

 

[PaulKorea]

I suppose this is the best place to ask, but I'm getting into a health situation where my 25-26 tickets (2 seats) could become available, due to restrictions on what I can do. I've already paid for next season's tickets, wishful thinking being able to attend all games. Would anybody have interest in purchasing games that I can't attend? I get the printed ones only, so something would have to be arranged. I'm waiting on any news for a kidney transplant donor, so I could be sidelined a month from now or ten months from now, there's really no information of donor progress made because of HIPAA. A few scenarios remain possible, but any availability of my seats would be for the upcoming season only (hopefully). Send a message, respond here, whatever. Just trying to gauge interest as another ticketholder declined to add seats.

 

[NEW Friar]

Hello PK, sorry to read about the health uncertainty, I wish you all the best in finding a donor, sooner than later. Hope you get to use as many tickets in good health as possible. Assuming the team shapes up as one of the best ever I think you will enjoy attending more than ever. Crossing my fingers for your recovery.

 

[PaulKorea]

Hello PK, sorry to read about the health uncertainty, I wish you all the best in finding a donor, sooner than later. Hope you get to use as many tickets in good health as possible. Assuming the team shapes up as one of the best ever I think you will enjoy attending more than ever. Crossing my fingers for your recovery.

Thank you, appreciate the good words. I had hopes I'd already be through it and in recovery by now but, like the saying goes, "it is what it is". I'm amused I'm more concerned about missing Friars games than when I will know my donor. Did anybody happen to get to the recent curling tournament event at PC? I think that was two weekends ago. I was able to attend and stayed for a while. Pretty light crowd. I think I saw some hockey players passing through. The lengthy bags plus the stick carrying seemed a dead giveaway but i didn't feel like I needed to intercept them for confirmation. Tournament was a lot of fun to watch live, didn't make it for the finals on the Sunday but enjoyed what I got to see. Open to the public, free to attend, looked like all concessions were shut down, not much for security on campus or nearby at that time. They must consider curling to be a peaceful sport!

 

[PaulKorea]

So it appears PC's roster for next season might be set. Another CHL player incoming to fill out the defense.

Looks like PC retained 3 (Machu, Centrella and Bales) on D. I'm seeing as many as 7 might come in. I read either Ryan White or Owen Thomas were either backing off arriving for a year or decommitted (I forget which). The CHL recruits on D seem like they should provide stability and leadership for the group.

On offense I think Lavery was a decommit, not sure if Snee was incoming this year or using an extra year for playing time elsewhere. Excited to see what Fauchon brings to the offense, as he was atop the scoring leaders in the QMJHL. Played for 2 different teams and, at the scoring pace, he would've been the leader on both teams by a good margin for a full season. How this translate to NCAA will be interesting, but I think a good amount of NCAA teams did their shopping with the expansion to CHL being an option. As for the rest of the freshman, particularly the non-CHL players, unlike last year with three players drafted, I see none this year, but liked the development of both Sawyer & Mustard over the course of the season. As valuable as their leadership was, Yoder and Poisson felt like a letdown of a season last year between the two of them, compared to the previous season's offensive numbers. If Providence can replicate and improve upon those numbers with the incoming players I think it should be another strong year for the team. Good to have your goalie in waiting behind Svedeback, someone to get some games in before, hopefully, taking the #1 job after he graduates.

 

[cinnamoroll]

So it appears PC's roster for next season might be set. Another CHL player incoming to fill out the defense.

D Quinn Mantei, Brandon Wheat Kings captain. Brandon leaned on him hard all year, which they have done with him literally since his rookie year. He had an interesting junior hockey journey. Since he only played 6 U18 AAA games in the pandemic year, he essentially went straight from playing U15 AA to WHL out of necessity because Brandon could not get healthy all 21-22. He is no stranger to a big jump in competition- the CHL-NCAA one might seem like a piece of cake in comparison. Divver pulling out the Guillaume Richard comp doesn't hurt either.

Providence went for a really nice mix of overagers, 3 of whom were captains of their teams. Plus Kale McCallum. Not sure how many NCAA fans know about the sheer dominance from U of New Brunswick in USports, but for their second straight championship campaign in 23-24, they went a perfect 30-0. Literally did not lose a game, only needed 2 OTW. As a defenseman McCallum was 2nd in scoring on that team.

As for Fauchon's offense translating, if you want to see him in playoff action with commentary you can understand, QMJHL Finals stream for free on Victory plus and on NHL Network, game 3 tonight at 7pm ET. Rimouski is down 2 vs regular season champs Moncton (coached by the same guy as that undefeated UNB team), but last game needed 2OT. could easily be 1-1. Rimouski is also the host city of the Memorial Cup this year, so even if they lose this series, their season isn't over yet. Good opportunities to catch him against some highly talented opponents before he arrives in fall.

 

[cavbim]

So it appears PC's roster for next season might be set. Another CHL player incoming to fill out the defense.

Looks like PC retained 3 (Machu, Centrella and Bales) on D. I'm seeing as many as 7 might come in. I read either Ryan White or Owen Thomas were either backing off arriving for a year or decommitted (I forget which). The CHL recruits on D seem like they should provide stability and leadership for the group.

On offense I think Lavery was a decommit, not sure if Snee was incoming this year or using an extra year for playing time elsewhere. Excited to see what Fauchon brings to the offense, as he was atop the scoring leaders in the QMJHL. Played for 2 different teams and, at the scoring pace, he would've been the leader on both teams by a good margin for a full season. How this translate to NCAA will be interesting, but I think a good amount of NCAA teams did their shopping with the expansion to CHL being an option. As for the rest of the freshman, particularly the non-CHL players, unlike last year with three players drafted, I see none this year, but liked the development of both Sawyer & Mustard over the course of the season. As valuable as their leadership was, Yoder and Poisson felt like a letdown of a season last year between the two of them, compared to the previous season's offensive numbers. If Providence can replicate and improve upon those numbers with the incoming players I think it should be another strong year for the team. Good to have your goalie in waiting behind Svedeback, someone to get some games in before, hopefully, taking the #1 job after he graduates.

Thomas is the decommit, White is staying home in Ottawa as he missed over 2/3 of season due to injury. Lavery decommitted quite a while back as well as Schelling who switched to Dartmouth

If you work under the 26 roster cap. They are bringing in 12. The 5 CHL players, the portal pickup, 2 foreign defensemen from USHL (Masa and Rybakov), the 3rd string goalie from NCDC and 3 who passed through Mount and are from USHL (Parsons, Sisson, and Montiero)

Since there is almost 100% chance roster cap is altered possible they bring back 2 extra players they had this year with low end depth. For sure Leaman loves extra Dman since he prefers to dress 7

Good luck with your kidney. Had same situation 10 years ago (still have transplant). Did have decent idea where stood especially when in top 5. I was actually 2 when got it because I was the better match. I had become 3 almost a year earlier so you never know when, how long. Got it just before season so missed all but last 1st semester games, including the banner night. 1st 10 weeks you are most susceptible to germs so suppose to limit contact