RPI Recruit Thread 2025-2026

[Engineers]

I think we started to see pieces of his defensive system as the season wore on and I expect to see even more this season. As for the offensive end, we didn't really exhibit much of the puck control style that Lang said he espouses. That was probably due to the amount of turnover and talent limitations. Puck control can wear out the other team and generate great scoring opportunities, but it can also result in odd-man rushes the other way if a player tries and fails to make a move or pass to maintain offensive control instead of just putting the puck in safe areas. It requires levels of stick work, skating and situational awareness that were probably a bit beyond us last year. I'm hopeful more of it takes root this season.

I must admit I'm getting irrationally exuberant about our direction. My senior year was one of the worst we ever had. However, Mike Addesa had already begun selling the proverbial ice to eskimos by bringing in guys like Hammond, Friday, Langevin and Sadeghpour, who would be important pieces 3 years later. They were just names to us because junior and prep hockey didn't have as much coverage as they do today, but Oates, Servinis, Carter (the only one I knew of because of his exploits in the Boston high school ranks), Jooris, etc. were on the way. I think the college game has changed too much to expect that sort of success ever again, but I am confident our days of holding up the rest of the ECAC standings on a pretty regular basis are over. If Coach Lang can sell ice in the small cities along the major junior trail of Canada that's good enough for me.

well said! I’m really excited for the future of the program. Lang and co have really recruited well. Building the roster from the goal out. The upcoming season should be a very exciting season for us. Probably not since Appert have I been this excited for hockey in Troy.

 

[DrDemento]

I too am starting to get a bit of a feeling about hockey in Troy coming up. Had that feeling first when I saw Watson and Scammell skate on the freshman team in 1966 (frosh could not play varsity back then). Obviously felt it when the Addesa recruits began to arrive in the early to mid 1980's. Then perhaps finally with the 1995-96 teams getting up to Lake Placid consecutive years. Been a very long time and was beginning to feel a bit numb and that might never get the experience again. Certainly in between we had some wonderful boys playing who did well as individuals but no real team success. here it is only May though and can feel the excitement starting to build.

 

[RPEyeofthetiger]

I don't know if this was the player folks were expecting ?? 6'1 204 lbs 33-35-68 in 61 games

Shane Smith (b.2005) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Shane Smith, a hockey player from Chiliwack, BC born Jan 14 2005 who was active from 2020 to 2026.

www.hockeydb.com

Rockets forward Smith awarded Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy as WHL Humanitarian of the Year for 2025-26 – Western Hockey League

chl.ca

It’s certainly was. Great pickup! Heavy with left shots up front but no complaints here.

 

[DrDemento]

It’s certainly was. Great pickup! Heavy with left shots up front but no complaints here.

Hopefully then some of the guys have decent backhands!