Halloweenman
Registered User
Hey it looks like the team is not an embarrassment this year so I thought I'd drop by and post a thread.
Previously: Princeton 2017-18
Previously: Princeton 2017-18
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Princeton 2025-26
- Thread starter Halloweenman
- Start date
Staten Island resident and Boston College fan here. Sometimes I drive down Rte. 1 to catch a game.
I took in Friday's win vs. Dartmouth and was impressed at how the crowd was really into it. Refreshing, because Hobey Baker Rink in the past has often resembled a library.
Congratulations on your recent success, including the dramatic victory tonight vs. Harvard.
I took in Friday's win vs. Dartmouth and was impressed at how the crowd was really into it. Refreshing, because Hobey Baker Rink in the past has often resembled a library.
Congratulations on your recent success, including the dramatic victory tonight vs. Harvard.
Halloweenman
Registered User
I think it's really important to bandwagon when the team is doing well, because it's a once a decade phenomenon and the rest of the time it's just really sad being follower.
I might even fly back for a game or two with the kids!
I might even fly back for a game or two with the kids!
BigRedBeer
Member
I'm a fan of Coach Syer and he is bringing a new culture to Princeton. Good luck going forward! Cornell looks pretty darn good so far too.
makehobeyproud
New member
Season ticket holder here- been an exciting start to the year. Their conditioning is off the charts this season. Dartmouth came out firing in the first Period on Friday, and other regulars seated around us all expected for Princeton to not hold up for 60 minutes at that pace, but they did not falter. Plus, our #1 goalie returned this weekend after nearly 2 months out with an injury.
Huge credit to Coach Syer- his preparation is quite meticulous. You can see the differences in defensive setup between the Dartmouth and Harvard games. Considering very few of these players are his own recruits, there's many reasons for optimism!
Huge credit to Coach Syer- his preparation is quite meticulous. You can see the differences in defensive setup between the Dartmouth and Harvard games. Considering very few of these players are his own recruits, there's many reasons for optimism!
cinnamoroll
baby sharks enthusiast
Speaking of optimism- how about a report on the guys from the new recruiting landscape of the CHL?
Because of the academic requirements, it was always going to take a while for the Ivy League schools to fully take advantage of the rule change. So far, Princeton has 4 new commits from the CHL, two in October and two last month. 3 are in the WHL, one OHL, 1 D 3 F.
05 F Jake Gudelj plays for Tri-City Americans in the WHL- he's likely to arrive next year. Last spring, his Spokane Chiefs went to the WHL finals and shortly after was traded to a young Tri-City team as a veteran presence. Despite a fairly good record, they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, so his 20 points in 36 games is good enough to be 4th on the team.
06 D Max Lavoie plays for Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL. 6 points in 36 games, but he's more of a physical defensive defenseman. Undrafted in the WHL, 6'3, has 4 fights under his belt. The WHL is the most physical of the CHL leagues, so he'll be ready for the college physicality.
07 F Shaan Kingwell plays for Ottawa 67's in the OHL- joined his hometown 67's midseason from the CCHL a year ago, got 10 goals, 23 points in 36 games on the best team in the league.
09 F Cole Hajt plays for Prince George Cougars in the WHL- he's a longer term commitment of course at only 16, but he is already 6'5. Grandson of Bill Hajt, longtime Buffalo Sabres defenseman, and son of Chris Hajt, who has been an assistant coach with the Kings' AHL affiliate for roughly a decade besides 2 seasons with the Ottawa Senators. He is sticking on the roster of a pretty good team as a 16 year old center which is a great sign, even if he's not getting a big role yet.
These aren't the flashiest guys, but they fit the right style of play for the team from what I can see. Gudelj and Lavoie should come as early as this fall, Kingwell maybe another season. Hajt is a long term project to keep an eye on, but there's a lot to like already.
I'm sure you might see a few more commitments as the year goes on, probably a few commits going to the CHL before they arrive- a lot of prep school guys have made the jump or are planning to. If you need more hockey in your life and want to check out some future Tigers, WHL games all stream on Victory+ entirely free, just keep in mind the time difference. OHL games are on FloHockey.
One of the best recruitment tactics is success, of course. Hopefully Princeton can keep it going. This season has been fun all around, the parity and depth is great to see.
Because of the academic requirements, it was always going to take a while for the Ivy League schools to fully take advantage of the rule change. So far, Princeton has 4 new commits from the CHL, two in October and two last month. 3 are in the WHL, one OHL, 1 D 3 F.
05 F Jake Gudelj plays for Tri-City Americans in the WHL- he's likely to arrive next year. Last spring, his Spokane Chiefs went to the WHL finals and shortly after was traded to a young Tri-City team as a veteran presence. Despite a fairly good record, they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, so his 20 points in 36 games is good enough to be 4th on the team.
06 D Max Lavoie plays for Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL. 6 points in 36 games, but he's more of a physical defensive defenseman. Undrafted in the WHL, 6'3, has 4 fights under his belt. The WHL is the most physical of the CHL leagues, so he'll be ready for the college physicality.
07 F Shaan Kingwell plays for Ottawa 67's in the OHL- joined his hometown 67's midseason from the CCHL a year ago, got 10 goals, 23 points in 36 games on the best team in the league.
09 F Cole Hajt plays for Prince George Cougars in the WHL- he's a longer term commitment of course at only 16, but he is already 6'5. Grandson of Bill Hajt, longtime Buffalo Sabres defenseman, and son of Chris Hajt, who has been an assistant coach with the Kings' AHL affiliate for roughly a decade besides 2 seasons with the Ottawa Senators. He is sticking on the roster of a pretty good team as a 16 year old center which is a great sign, even if he's not getting a big role yet.
These aren't the flashiest guys, but they fit the right style of play for the team from what I can see. Gudelj and Lavoie should come as early as this fall, Kingwell maybe another season. Hajt is a long term project to keep an eye on, but there's a lot to like already.
I'm sure you might see a few more commitments as the year goes on, probably a few commits going to the CHL before they arrive- a lot of prep school guys have made the jump or are planning to. If you need more hockey in your life and want to check out some future Tigers, WHL games all stream on Victory+ entirely free, just keep in mind the time difference. OHL games are on FloHockey.
One of the best recruitment tactics is success, of course. Hopefully Princeton can keep it going. This season has been fun all around, the parity and depth is great to see.
Halloweenman
Registered User
So looking forward to future seasons: if we're lucky Kai Daniells a) sticks around and b) keeps production up, but he needs backup next year and someone to pick up the slack once he graduates in 2027.
We're also kind of leaky on defense right now: our SoS is awful, and I have my doubts real about our ability to keep up scoring if/when we run into faster teams from out west. From that standpoint, a recruiting focus on big guys who can defend makes sense... the coaching staff seems to have its collective head bolted on correctly, and I'm really hoping current performance isn't a one year global maximum.
Also, look at that, we're in the poll this week!
We're also kind of leaky on defense right now: our SoS is awful, and I have my doubts real about our ability to keep up scoring if/when we run into faster teams from out west. From that standpoint, a recruiting focus on big guys who can defend makes sense... the coaching staff seems to have its collective head bolted on correctly, and I'm really hoping current performance isn't a one year global maximum.
Also, look at that, we're in the poll this week!
topicalgoo
New member
I’m pretty much on the same page. Daniells has been huge for us, but relying that heavily on one guy isn’t sustainable long term. If he sticks around and keeps producing, great—but we really need some depth behind him next season, and someone ready to step up once he graduates.
The defensive concerns are real too. With our SoS being what it is, it’s hard to know how this group will hold up against faster, more physical teams, especially from out west. Targeting bigger, defensively solid recruits makes a lot of sense to balance things out. That said, the staff seems to be making smart decisions so far, which gives me some confidence this isn’t just a one-year peak.
And hey, cracking the poll this week is still a nice milestone. Hopefully it’s a sign of steady progress rather than a brief flash.