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UMaine Hockey 23 - 24: The Barr Crawl to Glory!!!

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amkirby10 said:
Thought Id take a stab at updating the recruiting sheet, with the Hockey East regular season in the books, and most junior leagues either with their season over or nearly over. A reminder, players are grouped within each color based on when I/Heisenberg expect them to arrive, and then shorted within each color by birthday, oldest on top.

For sake of keeping the sheet clean and easy to read, I have elected to only show the player's stats from the team he currently plays for. So, while some players have single-digit GP numbers, that does not mean they've played a single-digit number of games this winter. For instance, Zach Wooten recently transitioned to the USHL, so his stats say 4 GP, 0-0-0. But, earlier this year, he played for his MN High School team, where he had 18-32-50 in 27 GP.

With all the drama surrounding the AJHL + BCHL this year, for the five teams that defected leagues, neither league includes them on their standings page for this season. I was able to find the standings on the team websites, however it looks like that was just for games played after the split. So for simplicity, I just combined what their record was the last time I made the sheet with whatever that page displayed as their record.

If the link is broken, or you notice anything that looks incorrect, as always please let me know.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LVPOTKnji-x_rqcbThYOfJZnJ8jnjgEWkAaS3LapaZ4/edit#gid=0
Click to expand...

Seems like Kuzma and Cisar are the top gems for next season. Raftery looks like he trending down since he is no longer in USHL, and is playing NAHL. That probably puts him in the mix with the lengthy list of other forwards. There is a pack of solid but not superstar recruits after Kuzma and Cisar. So have to see if there are some hidden gems there.

Not sure if Breen and Houle will be back? I know they don’t owe Maine anything, but I’m sure the fans would absolutely love it if they stayed for the Covid make up year. Team would be very strong if so! Could likely be looking at a strong 4th line, where it would be hard to decide which one is your fourth line.

I has Boslund listed as coming in fall of 2025. He’s an 05 birth year and seems like that’s when he is apt to come in given his current trajectory combined with team needs… (no defensemen graduating).

For goalies I had Syszska coming in the fall of 2025 because they had to bring in Boija this year. Plus Syszska hasn’t been playing strong and has another year of junior eligibility. If he came in next year he would likely waste a full year of eligibility. There is also a good chance Ostman comes back for a Covid make up year.
 
Another thing, while on subject of recruits, the Barr has done well on a couple transfer portal players each year. A couple names stand out to me… Harry Roy was a Maine recruit at one point, wonder if he could be interested in a grad year at Maine? And one of Northeasterns top scorers Gunnerwolfe Fontaine is evidently doing a grad year somewhere. Something to keep an eye out for. I’m sure both of those players will be heavily recruited. Transfer portal here… https://gopherpucklive.com/transfer-portal/
 
Sparkee said:
Seems like Kuzma and Cisar are the top gems for next season. Raftery looks like he trending down since he is no longer in USHL, and is playing NAHL. That probably puts him in the mix with the lengthy list of other forwards. There is a pack of solid but not superstar recruits after Kuzma and Cisar. So have to see if there are some hidden gems there.

Not sure if Breen and Houle will be back? I know they don’t owe Maine anything, but I’m sure the fans would absolutely love it if they stayed for the Covid make up year. Team would be very strong if so! Could likely be looking at a strong 4th line, where it would be hard to decide which one is your fourth line.

I has Boslund listed as coming in fall of 2025. He’s an 05 birth year and seems like that’s when he is apt to come in given his current trajectory combined with team needs… (no defensemen graduating).

For goalies I had Syszska coming in the fall of 2025 because they had to bring in Boija this year. Plus Syszska hasn’t been playing strong and has another year of junior eligibility. If he came in next year he would likely waste a full year of eligibility. There is also a good chance Ostman comes back for a Covid make up year.
Click to expand...

I agree on Kuzma as the prize of the class, but I also have my eye on Brock James. NAHL is a decent league nowadays, and PPG pace is pretty good. He's also one of the clearly two best players on his team, which is the best in the league. His numbers and age in the NAHL are pretty similar to what Sully Scholle was last year, and he's proven himself a nice piece at the college level. Plus, James is a Maine native, so that's a nice bonus to finally have one on the team.

I think Houle will be back, I can't imagine his pro interest will be all that high (not to be disrespectful). Breen is a wild card, will be extremely interested to see how that plays out.

I could see Bosland as a '25 arrival, but maybe they forecast someone on the D could be an early departure (Breazeale?) or a transfer candidate.

I disagree about Ostman being back, I think it's likely he's gone, in my view. He had pro interest after last year, going to Seattle's dev camp, so maybe some team could think they can bring the old Ostman back and get a gem? And even if he doesn't have any pro offers, he essentially lost his job here and would have to theoretically compete with Berzins just to be a backup. I see him as a clear transfer candidate. They may still hold back Syszska, maybe bring in a graduate student or senior transfer goalie for his final year of eligibility?

Just some of my thoughts.
 
amkirby10 said:
I agree on Kuzma as the prize of the class, but I also have my eye on Brock James. NAHL is a decent league nowadays, and PPG pace is pretty good. He's also one of the clearly two best players on his team, which is the best in the league. His numbers and age in the NAHL are pretty similar to what Sully Scholle was last year, and he's proven himself a nice piece at the college level. Plus, James is a Maine native, so that's a nice bonus to finally have one on the team.

I think Houle will be back, I can't imagine his pro interest will be all that high (not to be disrespectful). Breen is a wild card, will be extremely interested to see how that plays out.

I could see Bosland as a '25 arrival, but maybe they forecast someone on the D could be an early departure (Breazeale?) or a transfer candidate.

I disagree about Ostman being back, I think it's likely he's gone, in my view. He had pro interest after last year, going to Seattle's dev camp, so maybe some team could think they can bring the old Ostman back and get a gem? And even if he doesn't have any pro offers, he essentially lost his job here and would have to theoretically compete with Berzins just to be a backup. I see him as a clear transfer candidate. They may still hold back Syszska, maybe bring in a graduate student or senior transfer goalie for his final year of eligibility?

Just some of my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Exactly on Brock James. Playing in the same league, division, and at the same
age as Scholle did last year with a tad better results. I think Scholle is a stud. Works and skates hard and can absolutely wire the puck. It looks as though James has found his stride there.

Kuzma is definitely the guy. I think Pichette is going to fit Barr’s culture and system perfectly. Incredibly versatile player that works incredibly hard.

Those are the 3 freshman forwards I see coming in. Morse on D. I think Peluso and Cisar are getting close and can play but need another year. I’m intrigued by Muscutt. Wondering if his second year in the USHL sees him break out. I think Van Wie is the other guy for the next year’s class to
watch. Put up good numbers in Prep.

Maine has a whole slew of those 04’s at forward they are going to have to decide on. Most I think project as overager walk-ons as we speak. Coccimiglio, Peters, Raftery, Taylor, Peters, Somers. Probably only have room for 1-2 of those guys.

One name I am intrigued by is Harrison Scott’s younger brother Max. Was a freshman at Brown this year and was close to a ppg on a team that struggled mightily. Curious to see if he hits the portal.

Future always fun to discuss. Way more excited about the next two weekends.
 
dabears91 said:
Exactly on Brock James. Playing in the same league, division, and at the same
age as Scholle did last year with a tad better results. I think Scholle is a stud. Works and skates hard and can absolutely wire the puck. It looks as though James has found his stride there.

Kuzma is definitely the guy. I think Pichette is going to fit Barr’s culture and system perfectly. Incredibly versatile player that works incredibly hard.

Those are the 3 freshman forwards I see coming in. Morse on D. I think Peluso and Cisar are getting close and can play but need another year. I’m intrigued by Muscutt. Wondering if his second year in the USHL sees him break out. I think Van Wie is the other guy for the next year’s class to
watch. Put up good numbers in Prep.

Maine has a whole slew of those 04’s at forward they are going to have to decide on. Most I think project as overager walk-ons as we speak. Coccimiglio, Peters, Raftery, Taylor, Peters, Somers. Probably only have room for 1-2 of those guys.

One name I am intrigued by is Harrison Scott’s younger brother Max. Was a freshman at Brown this year and was close to a ppg on a team that struggled mightily. Curious to see if he hits the portal.

Future always fun to discuss. Way more excited about the next two weekends.
Click to expand...

Regarding Harrison Scott’s brother, when Harrison was on the coaches show he hinted on trying to get his brother to join him. Had nice stats this year at Brown. Love the way Harrison plays so I’d welcome him with open arms.
 
BlackBearFan19 said:
Regarding Harrison Scott’s brother, when Harrison was on the coaches show he hinted on trying to get his brother to join him. Had nice stats this year at Brown. Love the way Harrison plays so I’d welcome him with open arms.
Click to expand...

Glad I wasn’t the only one to catch that nice little nugget :)

Scott has been awesome since the first puck drop. Does not take a shift off. Give me guys like that up and down my lineup.
 
grooverider said:
I don't understand the selection process sometimes for sites. That is a dinky bowl arena, I think the capacity is like 2800?
Click to expand...

They seem to have multiple rinks at that arena. I think the one they're using has a capacity of 2500.

As long as the check clears it seems the NCAA will let anyone host.
 
ticapnews said:
They seem to have multiple rinks at that arena. I think the one they're using has a capacity of 2500.

As long as the check clears it seems the NCAA will let anyone host.
Click to expand...

Except when it comes to Maine hosting in Portland. I don’t get why the bids never were accepted… hockey fans would enjoy the old port.
 
Sparkee said:
Except when it comes to Maine hosting in Portland. I don’t get why the bids never were accepted… hockey fans would enjoy the old port.
Click to expand...

Just as well Maine didn't get it. The Civic Center would have had to average 4500+ attendance just to break even. Bidding to host was a terrible idea.
 
Season ticket renewals went out today (email).

Non-renewals go on sale April 23.

Single games go on sale Aug. 27.

Portland game will not be part of season ticket package.

Looks like 18 games at Alfond if my calculations are correct.


PS - They broke ground today on Alfond/Walsh renovation.
 
Sparkee said:
why is that? Is the ncaa rake that bad?
Click to expand...

Base (at that time) was $250,000 plus the NCAA takes part of the gate, the concessions, parking, merchandise etc.
As the host you were required to rent the arena for four days (that will now be five or six) and provide a set number of accommodations for the NCAA, make rooms available for the four teams plus officials, among other expenses. The NCAA also controls almost every aspect right down to how much tickets can cost (they give a window and you choose the final number) so even if you wanted to do a discount or family deal or do tiered pricing (the cost of a front row seat is the same as the top of the nosebleeds) you can't. It's not a way to make money; it's a prestige thing. Maine was in no position for that (and still isn't)
 
ticapnews said:
Base (at that time) was $250,000 plus the NCAA takes part of the gate, the concessions, parking, merchandise etc.
As the host you were required to rent the arena for four days (that will now be five or six) and provide a set number of accommodations for the NCAA, make rooms available for the four teams plus officials, among other expenses. The NCAA also controls almost every aspect right down to how much tickets can cost (they give a window and you choose the final number) so even if you wanted to do a discount or family deal or do tiered pricing (the cost of a front row seat is the same as the top of the nosebleeds) you can't. It's not a way to make money; it's a prestige thing. Maine was in no position for that (and still isn't)
Click to expand...

But UNH and Manchester, NH are?
 
ticapnews said:
Apparently. Maybe the NCAA gives a better deal to repeat bidders than first timers. Or someone in Manchester just likes to burn money. In which case, they can Venmo some to me...
Click to expand...

Might all become moot anyway if regional games come back to campuses. Maine will be finished with the Alfond renovation just in time.
 
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