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Maine Recruits: When Ashes Fall, Legends Rise

Sparkee seems to have recruiting on lock recently, and they are doing a great job at it as well. However, I like maintaining my spreadsheet of recruit stats, so I figured I would give it an update here towards the middle-ish of the season. As always, the color groups are estimated arrival years ('25 green, '26 blue, '27 yellow) based on a combination of Heisenberg's estimate (if applicable) and my own guesswork, so it won't be perfect. Within each color, guys are sorted in descending order by age. They certainly cut down the list a bit from before, as we all thought they would, especially up front. I keep eyeing the goaltending situation; with Boija as an elite starter as only a sophomore, and Berzins a good prospect as a freshman, and two good looking goalie recruit prospects in Shea and Vecvanags, somebody is likely to be the odd man out, will be interesting to see who it is.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LVPOTKnji-x_rqcbThYOfJZnJ8jnjgEWkAaS3LapaZ4/edit?usp=sharing
 
Sparkee seems to have recruiting on lock recently, and they are doing a great job at it as well. However, I like maintaining my spreadsheet of recruit stats, so I figured I would give it an update here towards the middle-ish of the season. As always, the color groups are estimated arrival years ('25 green, '26 blue, '27 yellow) based on a combination of Heisenberg's estimate (if applicable) and my own guesswork, so it won't be perfect. Within each color, guys are sorted in descending order by age. They certainly cut down the list a bit from before, as we all thought they would, especially up front. I keep eyeing the goaltending situation; with Boija as an elite starter as only a sophomore, and Berzins a good prospect as a freshman, and two good looking goalie recruit prospects in Shea and Vecvanags, somebody is likely to be the odd man out, will be interesting to see who it is.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LVPOTKnji-x_rqcbThYOfJZnJ8jnjgEWkAaS3LapaZ4/edit?usp=sharing

I think Heisenberg takes a guess on when he thinks they will come in based on when they were committed. But in reality guys will likely be brought in as late as their overage year unless they have mastered the junior level and can be brought in early. For example, you have Johnson of NAHL team as an ‘05 coming in next year. I don’t think he is a candidate to come in before his overage year based on the level of the league NAHL and his performance in that league which is less than a point per game. Same goes for all of your 05 birth years you have coming in next year. Wasmer may have a chance if he works his way up from the 3rd pair he is on for his QMJHl team. So I only have the three 04 birth years you have listed as coming in next season so far. And then I’m guessing we see some more left shot center types that can play center or lw. Since so many talented ones available from major junior, I’m guessing we get some from there. We saw a lot of 04 cut this year recently. You may see similar cuts for our 05 birth year commits. They seem to be underwhelming as of right now. After that though I think the 06, 07, and 08 birth years begin to get progressively stronger. I think it took a while for recruits to view Maine as a good situation where we had not been good under Red for 10 years and Barr hadn’t proven anything yet. Now, Barr has Maine near the top and the outlook at Maine is great. Will be fantastic after the new facilities and renovations are complete!
 
I think Heisenberg takes a guess on when he thinks they will come in based on when they were committed. But in reality guys will likely be brought in as late as their overage year unless they have mastered the junior level and can be brought in early. For example, you have Johnson of NAHL team as an ‘05 coming in next year. I don’t think he is a candidate to come in before his overage year based on the level of the league NAHL and his performance in that league which is less than a point per game. Same goes for all of your 05 birth years you have coming in next year. Wasmer may have a chance if he works his way up from the 3rd pair he is on for his QMJHl team. So I only have the three 04 birth years you have listed as coming in next season so far. And then I’m guessing we see some more left shot center types that can play center or lw. Since so many talented ones available from major junior, I’m guessing we get some from there. We saw a lot of 04 cut this year recently. You may see similar cuts for our 05 birth year commits. They seem to be underwhelming as of right now. After that though I think the 06, 07, and 08 birth years begin to get progressively stronger. I think it took a while for recruits to view Maine as a good situation where we had not been good under Red for 10 years and Barr hadn’t proven anything yet. Now, Barr has Maine near the top and the outlook at Maine is great. Will be fantastic after the new facilities and renovations are complete!

You're probably right about Johnson. I just bumped him up since Maine is set to lose a minimum of five forwards this offseason (Makar, Mitton, Scott, Breen, and Renwick), with the latter three all being centers. Johnson is the oldest guy listed as a center, and with only three '04 birth years I thought it would be unlikely that they bring in three transfer centers, so they would need at least a few guys to play C.
 
You're probably right about Johnson. I just bumped him up since Maine is set to lose a minimum of five forwards this offseason (Makar, Mitton, Scott, Breen, and Renwick), with the latter three all being centers. Johnson is the oldest guy listed as a center, and with only three '04 birth years I thought it would be unlikely that they bring in three transfer centers, so they would need at least a few guys to play C.

This is what I have for a line up for next year. I have three openings and suspect they would want center types two left shot centers and one right shot center to balance it out since in the bottom six I list 5 of the 6 are right shot. I assume since they can be going to 26 scholarships and limit likely Carney would be replaced since he isn’t playing in games. Not sure if it is a medical reason or what is up with him. Also since they are only going to be allowed 26 spots they likely can’t afford to keep 3 goalies anymore. So I imagine Stewart might be a casualty of this 26 roster limit idiocy. I personally the say you can have two extra spots that have to be non-scholarship. This way you can have third goalie and extra walk on forward like Carney on the team. But assuming that is not the case here is a view of what we have coming back and what we likely need assuming not guys go pro early. Since the defense will be upperclassmen and there are already enough returning defensemen I think Breazeale’s spot gets filled by promotion rather than a rookie.

Maine 2025/26 Lineup

Seniors - 4
Juniors - 12
Sophmores - 4
Freshmen - 3

Freel(3.5)/Komarov(3.5)/J. Nadeau(4.5)
Scholle(3.5)/Fowler(3.75)/Russell(3.75)
Gerrior(3.75)/Pichette(3.5)/Niemo(3.5)
Califiore(3.5)/James(3.75)/Peluso(3.75)

LC/LW: ? / ?
RC/RW: ?

*Holt(3.5)/Chabrier(3.75)
Lesakowski(3.75)/Djurecevic(3.75)
Dalton(3.5)/Nobes(3.5)

RD: Antonnaci(3.5), Arnott(3.5), Morse(3.5)

Bioja
Berzins(3.75)

Graduated:
************
Mitton - RW - physical, high motor, quick release, cannon one timer, pp weapon
Makar - LW - big skates well, physical, net front, grinder, good in transition
Renwick - LC- big frame, skates well, physical, net front
Breen - LC - small, nifty, quick, playmaker, high skill, leader
Scott - LC - fast, skilled, great wrister, great face offs, leader
Breazeale - LD - big stalwart, pucklugger, leader

Gerrior(Breen)
Peluso(Mitton)
James(Renwick)
?(Makar)
?(Scott)
?(Breazeale)

Rookies:
*********
Gerrior(OHL-0) - 2nd RW - agile handler, quick, burst, quick shot, works
Peluso(BCHL-0)- 1st RW - shifty, deceptively, a buzz saw
James(USHL-0)- 3rd RC - strong on the puck, good in the corners, good passer
 
Love the analysis. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks about this stuff a lot.

In terms of the 05’s - I think Johnson is trending to not coming. I think as of now going to be a toss up between Arneson and Muscutt in terms of who ends up making it. I’m leaning Muscutt because his style will probably mesh well in Orono. I think MacKinnon and Anderson are going to need another year but look like studs. And we will see how Wright and Wellenreiter progress in the next year. Voronin probably needs another year as well.

Lukas Peterson is ~ppg dman in the USHL. I think he needs to come this fall. I’m worried about him getting picked off by another program like our last couple good USHL commits.

I think Arnott, Antonacci, and Califiore are candidates to hit the portal. But as Sparkee has said, Maine needs two left shots centers. High end too. Preferably with size. They are losing a lot with Makar and Renwick. I think Boija and Holt are the only real threat to go pro at this point.
 
Love the analysis. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks about this stuff a lot.

In terms of the 05’s - I think Johnson is trending to not coming. I think as of now going to be a toss up between Arneson and Muscutt in terms of who ends up making it. I’m leaning Muscutt because his style will probably mesh well in Orono. I think MacKinnon and Anderson are going to need another year but look like studs. And we will see how Wright and Wellenreiter progress in the next year. Voronin probably needs another year as well.

Lukas Peterson is ~ppg dman in the USHL. I think he needs to come this fall. I’m worried about him getting picked off by another program like our last couple good USHL commits.

I think Arnott, Antonacci, and Califiore are candidates to hit the portal. But as Sparkee has said, Maine needs two left shots centers. High end too. Preferably with size. They are losing a lot with Makar and Renwick. I think Boija and Holt are the only real threat to go pro at this point.

I agree with a lot of this or all of it. Peterson is an interesting point, and it would make sense in his case to bring him in early. He would be 19(which is young). It is very difficult to score that high as a defensemen in that league. He has been playing on the 3rd pairing at RD. However he is on their power play unit. He is near the bottom of the team in +/- despite being near the top in scoring. So it seems he needs work on his defensive side of his game to be better. But, he is at least excelling in an area our current bottom two is lacking, which is offensive contributions. The only issue there is there are a lot of returning defensemen so would have to see one or more currently on the roster not come back. Your scenario of guys transferring or Holt going pro could allow for a spot to open up.

Arneson and Muscutt are both playing 4th line center for their respective teams. It seems to me this is indicating they would both benefit from another year where they can play on one of the top three lines at least to see more minutes. This is why I’m guessing none of the 05 would come in next year.

Also, on the subject of McKinnon and Anderson, both are doing great. Michael Monroe just joined their team for Sherwood Park Crusaders of BCHL. He has only had a game or two so far, but he is highly rated by Nuetral Zone at 4.0. So I expect him to work his way up their line up and potentially be in their top six forwards too.

Lastly, James Bond is also on that team but has either been a healthy scratch or the extra skater. He has good size but must be a project. I think he is less likely to pan out, but it is interesting to track his progress to see if he can stick at BCHL level. It seems like if a recruit can’t stick at the BCHL level he likely won’t end up in Maine’s line up. How I view the junior league strength… CHL, USHL > BCHL > NAHL, CJHL



​​​
 
Kocha Delic and Gavin Bryant have been removed from the 04 major junior watch list. Five players have been removed since I started this list as they’ve committed to other schools. Really hoping the Maine coaching staff are recruiting the guys on this list.
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name[/TD]
[TD]Team[/TD]
[TD]DOB[/TD]
[TD]Position[/TD]
[TD]NZ[/TD]
[TD]Height[/TD]
[TD]Weight[/TD]
[TD]Notes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jacob Matthieu[/TD]
[TD]Rimouski (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]5/5/04[/TD]
[TD]1st LC[/TD]
[TD]4.25[/TD]
[TD]5’11”[/TD]
[TD]190 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Speedy, quick release, buzzes, high IQ, good vision and playmaking[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Beau Jelsma[/TD]
[TD]Barrie (OHL)[/TD]
[TD]4/28/04[/TD]
[TD]2nd LC[/TD]
[TD]4.25[/TD]
[TD]5’10”[/TD]
[TD]180 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Speedy, quick, agile, hard-nosed, no quit attitude, quick release, puck-handling, heart and soul of the Colts, captain[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dalyn Wakley[/TD]
[TD]Barrie (OHL)[/TD]
[TD]3/5/04[/TD]
[TD]1st RC[/TD]
[TD]4.25[/TD]
[TD]6’1”[/TD]
[TD]200 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Fluent puck handler, creative, smooth skating, powerplay runs through him, dangerous off the rush[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Antonin Verreault[/TD]
[TD]Robyn-Noranda (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]7/28/04[/TD]
[TD]LW[/TD]
[TD]4.25[/TD]
[TD]5’8”[/TD]
[TD]160 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Highly skilled, incredibly fast, great release, high hockey IQ[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dominik Rymon[/TD]
[TD]Everett (WHL)[/TD]
[TD]5/29/04[/TD]
[TD]LW[/TD]
[TD]4.25[/TD]
[TD]5’10”[/TD]
[TD]160 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Straight-line speed, explosive strides, cycles puck, plays through contact[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kenta Isogai[/TD]
[TD]Wenatchee (WHL)[/TD]
[TD]8/28/04[/TD]
[TD]LW[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]5’9”[/TD]
[TD]175 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Excellent skating, sharp edges, responsible defensively, penalty killer[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Justin Cote[/TD]
[TD]Drummondville (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]7/11/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]5’6”[/TD]
[TD]160 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Dynamic skater, excellent edges, plays with heart, competitive[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Andrei Loshko[/TD]
[TD]Niagara (OHL)[/TD]
[TD]10/7/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]6’1”[/TD]
[TD]165 lbs[/TD]
[TD]High hockey IQ, detail-oriented, soft-touch passes, penalty killer, 200ft player[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Joseph Henneberry[/TD]
[TD]Cape Breton (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]12/20/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]6’2”[/TD]
[TD]194 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Great on faceoffs, net-front presence, wins puck battles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kassim Gaudet[/TD]
[TD]Chicoutimi (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]3/22/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]5’9”[/TD]
[TD]140 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Strong on faceoffs, agile, crafty, quick hands[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Yoan Loshing[/TD]
[TD]Moncton (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]2/29/04[/TD]
[TD]LW[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]5’10”[/TD]
[TD]178 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Elite speed, slick hands, high compete level[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jacob Newcombe[/TD]
[TD]Cape Breton (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]4/27/04[/TD]
[TD]LW[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]6’0”[/TD]
[TD]200 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Physical, tough to defend, wins puck battles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Yegor Goryunov[/TD]
[TD]Charlottetown (QMJHL)[/TD]
[TD]3/3/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]6’2”[/TD]
[TD]190 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Big NHL frame, goal scorer, uses frame well[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ryan Abraham[/TD]
[TD]Windsor (OHL)[/TD]
[TD]4/5/04[/TD]
[TD]LC[/TD]
[TD]4.0[/TD]
[TD]5’8”[/TD]
[TD]175 lbs[/TD]
[TD]Hustler, quick feet, good vision, quick release[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Maine picked up a commit from Loic Usereau, left shot defensemen, of Chicoutimi of QMJHL. He seems very similar playing style to Brandon Holt. Not a lot of video on him it seems. Highly rated at Nuetral Zone 4.0 rating.

*********

Loic Usereau(Chicoutimi(QMJHL)) DOB 12/31/04 - 6’ - 180 lbs - NZ 4.0 - 1st LD - GP 41 G 8 A 26 TP 34 - St. Michael, QC - offensive force, high hockey iq, excels on the penalty kill, active stick, quick movements, great skater, pinches appropriately, quick accurate passing ability

To the net goal - https://youtu.be/iIjeW_4dFbY?si=FHPx74GPUdA_eiqO
 
Last edited:
Love the analysis. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks about this stuff a lot.

In terms of the 05’s - I think Johnson is trending to not coming. I think as of now going to be a toss up between Arneson and Muscutt in terms of who ends up making it. I’m leaning Muscutt because his style will probably mesh well in Orono. I think MacKinnon and Anderson are going to need another year but look like studs. And we will see how Wright and Wellenreiter progress in the next year. Voronin probably needs another year as well.

Lukas Peterson is ~ppg dman in the USHL. I think he needs to come this fall. I’m worried about him getting picked off by another program like our last couple good USHL commits.

I think Arnott, Antonacci, and Califiore are candidates to hit the portal. But as Sparkee has said, Maine needs two left shots centers. High end too. Preferably with size. They are losing a lot with Makar and Renwick. I think Boija and Holt are the only real threat to go pro at this point.

Voronin signed his NLI. Can recruits be deferred a year after signing? I'm not really sure how it works, I just know he couldn't go to another school next year without a release from Maine.
 
Maine picked up a commit from Loic Usereau, left shot defensemen, of Chicoutimi of QMJHL. He seems very similar playing style to Brandon Holt. Not a lot of video on him it seems. Highly rated at Nuetral Zone 4.0 rating.

*********

Loic Usereau(Chicoutimi(QMJHL)) DOB 12/31/04 - 6’ - 180 lbs - NZ 4.0 - 1st LD - GP G A TP - St. Michael, QC - offensive force, high hockey iq, excels on the penalty kill, active stick, quick movements, great skater, pinches appropriately, quick accurate passing ability

To the net goal - https://youtu.be/iIjeW_4dFbY?si=FHPx74GPUdA_eiqO

Came here to report this in case nobody had, happy to see Sparkee ready with the analysis and NZ info. 4.0 seems like a nice pickup. And an '04 birth year, does that mean he's showing up next season? Not completely familiar with how age-out rules work in major junior.
 
Voronin signed his NLI. Can recruits be deferred a year after signing? I'm not really sure how it works, I just know he couldn't go to another school next year without a release from Maine.

Historically yes you could defer a year. I also don’t how the rules work anymore because everything has been turned upside down.
 
Maine picked up a commit from Loic Usereau, left shot defensemen, of Chicoutimi of QMJHL. He seems very similar playing style to Brandon Holt. Not a lot of video on him it seems. Highly rated at Nuetral Zone 4.0 rating.

*********

Loic Usereau(Chicoutimi(QMJHL)) DOB 12/31/04 - 6’ - 180 lbs - NZ 4.0 - 1st LD - GP G A TP - St. Michael, QC - offensive force, high hockey iq, excels on the penalty kill, active stick, quick movements, great skater, pinches appropriately, quick accurate passing ability

To the net goal - https://youtu.be/iIjeW_4dFbY?si=FHPx74GPUdA_eiqO

A point producing LHD was a need. So this is a good thing. Now let’s get a couple high end centers.
 
I'm pretty sure the age out rules in major juniors is the same as the "normal" junior leagues, so Usereau will be in Orono next year.

Yes, you are correct.

I picked through some game highlights for more plays to view on Usereau.

He is not afraid to get deep in the ozone. It is worth noting that he is 2nd on his team in +/- rating. So he evidently plays good defense too. He is 5th in scoring in the QMJHL for defensemen.

*******

To the net goal - https://youtu.be/iIjeW_4dFbY?si=FHPx74GPUdA_eiqO
Dish at the net front(0:58) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31427/
Goes to the net tip pass(1:37) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31428/
Defends 2-on-1(6:54) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31428/
Trailer support to backhand goal(3:47) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31431/
Nice block on 2-on-1 breakdown(0:27) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31660/
Collects puck, wheels, wrists goal through screen(2:05) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31660/
Low shot assist for a tipped goal(2:50) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31500/
Work the point, shot into screen(3:10) - https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gamecentre/31500/
 
Bowling Green has the right idea. They now have 8 commits from major junior and all are 04 birth years.

Unreal, watch Bowling Green become an instant contender.
 
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