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I wrote on the recruit thread that I would post my comments here on next year's lineup.
The lineup for next season appears to have at the moment 5 goalies, 12 defenseman and 18 forwards. Each of the three numbers is greater than in recent years. There probably isn’t enough space in the lockerroom for 35 players.None of the following is based upon any inside knowledge, just gut feeling.
Let us look at each of the numbers. First the goalies, where we have Hackett, Perry, McBain, St. Denis, and Marshall. Hackett has most likely seen his last action for RPI. I would be surprised if Perry left at this time. I don’t think he is ready for the pros and he has been improving over the season. I think that McBain likely will be going back to the ACHA team. St. Denis just arrived this semester and I think he will remain. Marshall, as a new recruit, knew the situation when he committed so I expect to see him in the fall where he will likely be the second-string goalie.
On defense, Prapavessis could turn pro but I expect him back. It has been suggested by others that Wilson might turn pro – I don’t think so. Bell has been in and out of the lineup for three years. Very rarely do people leave after their junior season except to turn pro, so I expect him back. (I think the last was Matt Garver.) Grant has been a pleasant surprise, so unless his injury keeps him out, I expect him back. I don’t know why Moore has been playing less and less. If it is due to being in SA’s doghouse, he may leave. I expect Reilly to be back. Manley also. It wouldn’t surprise me if Samec leaves. We have four recruits amd conceivably one or two could defer. I expect Cho to be in Troy in the fall. I also expect Babichuk to show up, although he could defer, and another year in the BCHL could help him. As was said, most European recruits play at least one year in the North America, all since Hammarstrom I think. It probably would be good for Tuliara to also accustom himself here, but I certainly don’t know. Harris, as a ‘96 and a new recruit, is undoubted coming in the fall.
As far as forwards are concerned, I expect the three fourth-year players, Liljegren, Melanson, and Nanne to return. They have all had up-and-down careers, but as I wrote for Bell, players rarely go elsewhere except for the pros after three years. Ohrvall also has had an up-and-down career, but I expect him back. I see no reason that Wiffen won’t return, I also expect and greatly hope Tironese is back. On the other-hand, Rodriguez has played little recently and could leave. As to the current freshmen, I expect and hope Hayhurst, Polino, and Marrello all return. Reissinger has played sparingly but also will probably return. We have not seen Rappaport at all. I suspect that he will stay in school, but he could leave the team. Gillespie returned to Troy this semester. If it wasn’t for the numbers problem, I would expect him to be reinstated. I still think he will likely be back, but I would not be surprised if he is still in SA’s doghouse. I certainly hope that Burgess is fit to play by next season. As to new forwards, there are four, Conger, Ohrvall, Stout, and Payne. I expect all to be in Troy with Ohrvall the most likely one to delay. However he has said that he wants to play with his brother. He still would do that if he delays a year, but I don’t think so. I would be shocked if Conger doesn’t show up since he has signed his NLOI. Payne, like Harris, is a ‘96 and a recent commit, so he is undoubtedly coming. Stout is also a fairly recent commit.
For all of the incoming player, there is of course the fact that they must get trough admissions. So far Conger is the only one in the directory. That also reminds me that Bendorf, although supposedly a 2018 recruit, is in the directory. If he shows up, that would make things even more complicated.
My guess is that Hackett, McBain, Samec, Tuliara, Rappaport, and Gillespie won’t be playing. That would mean 3 goalies, 10 defensemen, and 16 forwards. As I said, this is not based on any inside knowledge. I will be shocked if I am correct.
Comments?
College Hockey Inc. picked the MVP for every state which has NCAA D-I hockey players, and the only winner for RPI is Liam McBain of Oregon.