Maine Black Bears 2026 Offseason: Missing Out on Mistlebacher

[McGoverners]

Chabrier listed in McMahon portal tracker as a 5th year player. I didn't realize he had any eligibility left?

The NCAA is looking to change to a 5-year eligibility clock instead of 4 years with redshirts and other loopholes. This move is preemptive of that. It's unclear guys in his shoes get eligibility or not though.

 

[walrus]

It was sarcasm. If you've seen his jersey collection, it might make more sense.

I've seen his posts on facebook

 

[blackbears9]

I'm sorry, but the "you can't control those who want to leave anyway" is the exact same mindset my managers at work have. It's a poor excuse for poor management and leadership. If you go into all this treating/expecting top tier talent to be a one and done and/or chase more money, you're failing from the start IMO.

Sure, there are anomalies that are truly using a year or two as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, whether it be money, NHL/AHL deals, etc. but I'd like to think that isn't the norm for most players (certainly not disputing the change in landscape). If we are unable to retain talent that may have otherwise stayed due to personality, cultural, (you name it) issues, we need to look in the mirror and consider maybe we're the problem and not the player.

Not implying Maine has a problem just yet, however, I agree completely that we should absolutely be disappointed that we are/were unable to keep some of the players leaving this year especially if the reason for leaving is something that is/was within our control and/or capabilities to address.

Great post. Maine has the resources to have held on to Poirier and everyone that's poking holes in his game would've happily taken him back in Orono next year. We'll see what comes out but with less than 10 players making 6 figures last year and his surgery I don't see Poirier getting a huge deal Maine couldn't have matched. Elite snipers don't grow on trees, and with Mistlebacher going pro I'm sure people on here will be complaining about the lack of snipers by late January next year.

This year feels like it was Barr's biggest challenge as a head coach and we'll see what he learns from it. I fully expect the team to have a better culture next year and we'll see a competitive, hardworking, but less flashy team than we saw this year. Hopefully that translates to another tournament appearance and a sustainable model that can be repeated year over year.

 

[umhockey91]

The team doing some pre-Maine Day clean-up along the river this morning.....13 players accounted for.....Russell, Langlois, Fowler, Scott, Scholle, Peterson, James, Gerrior, Pichette, Lipinski, Komarov, Usereau, Boija

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Add 7 transfers......room for 6 new recruits.

 

[umhockey91]

So the 6 new recruits coming in are?

Ludwig
Fleece
Calvert
Voronin

Van Gorp (?)
McKinnon (?)
Siciliano (?)

 

[AmaineBlackBear]

So the 6 new recruits coming in are?

Ludwig
Fleece
Calvert
Voronin

Van Gorp (?)
McKinnon (?)
Siciliano (?)

Ludvig Lafton is going to be a great get. 6'2" 200 lbs defensemen. 33 assists in 58 games with a plus 14 this past year in the USHL. 9 points in 5 games with a plus 11 for Norways u20 national team in world juniors. Drafted in the 6th round by Utah.

Voronin just had 2 assists in a 5-4 win for Moncton in the playoffs. 60 points in 58 games with a plus 35 in the QMJHL this past year. 11 points in 10 games with a plus 12 in the playoff so far this season. I have watched some film on him and he is very active on the forecheck. Definitely seems like a forward that plays both ends of the ice.

Fleece has 47 points (25 goals) in 49 games with a plus 18 in the USHL. 5 points in 5 games for team USA in u19 world juniors. He has quite the shot as well.

Calvert had 53 points (31 goals) in 67 games in the WHL this past season. He was a -7 which is a very small cause for concern. Good size at 6' 200 lbs. He can clearly score the puck.

 

[umhockey91]

NCAA 5 for 5 rule advances.....will change college hockey recruiting.

 

[NorthMike]

NCAA 5 for 5 rule advances.....will change college hockey recruiting.

Yeah their doing it for football, ncaa doesn't care about hockey - no money.
I have mixed feelings about it. I do kinda feel that being 26 is a bit old.
Will see.
One thing for sure is theres too much change in a short period of time for the hockey world.

 

[grooverider]

Nailed this one... Seemed like a really obvious fit. Glad he's not staying in Hockey East like Marques.

It's a perfect fit..getting paid and it's not like PedoState plays a defensive system. He will have good numbers which just helps his leap to the next level. I will say the B1G has some great players he will be going up against them so a learning curve at first but I'm sure he will be just fine