With the loss of Fasching, we'll definitely need more scoring depth for next season. Although freshmen typically need time to develop at the D1 level, both Pitlick and Mittlestedt are rising stars that could make a significant contribution for the Gophers. According to this ARTICLE he has accelerated his academics to prepare himself to join the team next season. I hope Pat is right, but it's hard to see Rem Pitlick changing his mind since he stated he was 99% sure he was staying with Muskegon another season.
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Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
- Thread starter SteveO
- Start date
With the loss of Fasching, we'll definitely need more scoring depth for next season. Although freshmen typically need time to develop at the D1 level, both Pitlick and Mittlestedt are rising stars that could make a significant contribution for the Gophers. According to this ARTICLE he has accelerated his academics to prepare himself to join the team next season. I hope Pat is right, but it's hard to see Rem Pitlick changing his mind since he stated he was 99% sure he was staying with Muskegon another season.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Good point. Maybe I should have added "Official" to dispel all doubt.
Is the official one?
Good point. Maybe I should have added "Official" to dispel all doubt.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Hard to figure why Pitlick is leaning so heavily to playing another year at Muskegon. If he does, but for whatever reason doesn't at least match the spectacular season he just had, what would that do for him? Is this a case of there's not as much to gain as there is to lose? You could probably make a better case for Mittelstadt playing one year of juniors than Pitlick playing a second year.
And SteveO, thanks for starting the "official" off-season thread on a positive note!
Assuming he's accelerated his studies enough to graduate this Spring what would be the point of him returning to EP for his senior season? Certainly no point from a pure academic standpoint. So you would think his decision will come down to the Gamblers or the Gophers, and I'd give a slight edge to him wearing the Maroon and Gold next season.
Hard to figure why Pitlick is leaning so heavily to playing another year at Muskegon. If he does, but for whatever reason doesn't at least match the spectacular season he just had, what would that do for him? Is this a case of there's not as much to gain as there is to lose? You could probably make a better case for Mittelstadt playing one year of juniors than Pitlick playing a second year.
And SteveO, thanks for starting the "official" off-season thread on a positive note!
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
After I watched the interview with Pitlick I thought, ok I guess it's his call. But after thinking about it a bit, I agree it is a puzzling move on his part. He reached a personal milestone as the scoring leader in the USHL by a wide margin leaving little left to prove. I could be wrong here, but I also didn't get the impression from the interview that he had an overwhelming affinity for the Lumberjacks either. My 2 cents is he's 19 years old (April 2) and if he wants to really elevate his game, this is a good time for him to make the move to D1.
After I watched the interview with Pitlick I thought, ok I guess it's his call. But after thinking about it a bit, I agree it is a puzzling move on his part. He reached a personal milestone as the scoring leader in the USHL by a wide margin leaving little left to prove. I could be wrong here, but I also didn't get the impression from the interview that he had an overwhelming affinity for the Lumberjacks either. My 2 cents is he's 19 years old (April 2) and if he wants to really elevate his game, this is a good time for him to make the move to D1.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
One speculation on GPL is he is hoping for a coach change at MN. I'm not saying I buy that, just reporting it. He's still pretty young and just put on 20 pounds in a year. Could be he just wants another year so he comes in as good as possible. Conner had pretty big numbers for 2 years before he went to Michigan.
One speculation on GPL is he is hoping for a coach change at MN. I'm not saying I buy that, just reporting it. He's still pretty young and just put on 20 pounds in a year. Could be he just wants another year so he comes in as good as possible. Conner had pretty big numbers for 2 years before he went to Michigan.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
I consider a 'hope for a coaching change' to be a long shot. I'd consider 'concern that a soft prior year in the USHL might replicate itself at D1' and even 'the likelihood of a plan B for his career for other reasons' to be more likely. Kids at that age are more likely thinking of teammates, ice time and whether they'll win.
I'd rather Rem and Casey come in this year. The way I see it...if it gives a bit of a chance that Casey stays an extra year, I'll take it. And in both case, I expect we'll have some good recruits lined up for when either is ready to leave. In other words, a next year without either of these guys is worse than 3-4 years from now adding a new set of what should be pretty good recruits. I have faith in our ability to fill the pipeline with quality kids by then.
Also, having a Rem and Casey on the ice this year should help the team look better in terms of both Ws and star power...which can't hurt future recruiting. Many selfish reasons to hope they're on board this year.
I consider a 'hope for a coaching change' to be a long shot. I'd consider 'concern that a soft prior year in the USHL might replicate itself at D1' and even 'the likelihood of a plan B for his career for other reasons' to be more likely. Kids at that age are more likely thinking of teammates, ice time and whether they'll win.
I'd rather Rem and Casey come in this year. The way I see it...if it gives a bit of a chance that Casey stays an extra year, I'll take it. And in both case, I expect we'll have some good recruits lined up for when either is ready to leave. In other words, a next year without either of these guys is worse than 3-4 years from now adding a new set of what should be pretty good recruits. I have faith in our ability to fill the pipeline with quality kids by then.
Also, having a Rem and Casey on the ice this year should help the team look better in terms of both Ws and star power...which can't hurt future recruiting. Many selfish reasons to hope they're on board this year.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Several Minnesotans, Gophers recruits rated NHL draft's top prospects
http://www.startribune.com/several-...ts-rated-nhl-draft-s-top-prospects/375423721/
Several Minnesotans, Gophers recruits rated NHL draft's top prospects
http://www.startribune.com/several-...ts-rated-nhl-draft-s-top-prospects/375423721/
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
How many of those top 50 are BU players and recruits? I know the argument of NHL and college aren't the same, but how many first-rounders didn't perform at college level? Things look brighter in future, but I would love to see a first or high second rounder every year on the MN list, with others filling out the rest. UND did well this year with the 'high end approach' versus the ECAC approach of wait and take older, late developing players. Either way, you gotta get lucky with some guys.
How many of those top 50 are BU players and recruits? I know the argument of NHL and college aren't the same, but how many first-rounders didn't perform at college level? Things look brighter in future, but I would love to see a first or high second rounder every year on the MN list, with others filling out the rest. UND did well this year with the 'high end approach' versus the ECAC approach of wait and take older, late developing players. Either way, you gotta get lucky with some guys.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Love how in the article they define "top" as top 100 so they could include Gophers in the headline.
BU may have four first round picks (Krys has fallen). If they win it all next year and all leave, as a fan I'd be fine with that. If they don't win it all it sucks but they are set to reload basically every year.
Love how in the article they define "top" as top 100 so they could include Gophers in the headline.
BU may have four first round picks (Krys has fallen). If they win it all next year and all leave, as a fan I'd be fine with that. If they don't win it all it sucks but they are set to reload basically every year.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Can't wait to see it in person when it's all done!
Gophers unveil new renderings of Mariucci Arena renovations
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-unveil-new-renderings-of-mariucci-arena-renovations/375738321/
Can't wait to see it in person when it's all done!
Gophers unveil new renderings of Mariucci Arena renovations
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-unveil-new-renderings-of-mariucci-arena-renovations/375738321/
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Love how you can't move fast enough to be a killjoy.
Love how you can't move fast enough to be a killjoy.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Yes, hard to believe there are 25 goalies in this draft year who are ranked higher.
Surprised at the low ranking for Schierhorn. I thought he had a good not great, FR season. Jurusik (Badgers) > Schierhorn.
Yes, hard to believe there are 25 goalies in this draft year who are ranked higher.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Is 6'0" now considered not tall enough for an NHL goalie? I wonder if his height has something to do with it.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Good point. The NHL has been trending towards size and strength in recent years. I think the avg NHL goalie today is about 6'2 with greatest % being 6'2+. Dubnyk is around 6'6, Kuemper/6'5, which allows goalies to play a bit deeper and see better over screens. Jurusik is 6'2. But a case could be made that goaltending is still a technical pursuit not entirely based upon height.
Good point. The NHL has been trending towards size and strength in recent years. I think the avg NHL goalie today is about 6'2 with greatest % being 6'2+. Dubnyk is around 6'6, Kuemper/6'5, which allows goalies to play a bit deeper and see better over screens. Jurusik is 6'2. But a case could be made that goaltending is still a technical pursuit not entirely based upon height.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
Ya they are ranking them as potential NHL goalies. Schierhorn needs to take a step next year as he was definitely good but not great. Jurusik was surrounded by garbage, so tough to gauge what he'll become. I could see them being about even statistically next year, and a separation occurring either way in their junior years.
Ya they are ranking them as potential NHL goalies. Schierhorn needs to take a step next year as he was definitely good but not great. Jurusik was surrounded by garbage, so tough to gauge what he'll become. I could see them being about even statistically next year, and a separation occurring either way in their junior years.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Off Season thread - 2016
And with the butterfly style that they all play the extra height allows their shoulders to protect against high shots just under the crossbar. NHL shooters are so good they can exploit any openings left up high.