UML Recruiting: Finally in the 20s!

[Will]

Updated 4/1: Ben Brunette and Luke Pavicich entering the portal.
With the commits over the past few months, and now the portal in play, here's an update for the Lowell roster going out a couple of years. As always, a lot can change between now and then. For now, I still don't know who will be in goal for the 2025/2026 season.

If we use this season as an example, we have 18 forwards and 8 defensemen. So using that, I can imagine we'll still add at least another defenseman for next year and definitely someone who has experience to back up Welsch.? I've left Jones and Kresl for the 2026/2027 season as per Chris' site.

24/25 roster

Defense (8):
Seniors: Nick Andrews, Pierson Brandon, Isac Jonsson
Juniors: Mitchell Becker, T.J. Schweighardt
Sophomore: Sean Kilcullen
Freshmen: Daniel Buchbinder, Daniil Dolzhenko

Forwards (18):
Seniors: Owen Cole, Matt Crasa, Stefan Owens
Juniors: Dillan Bentley, Jack Collins, Nick Rheaume, Roc Truman, Scout Truman
Sophomores: Jonathan Horn, Jaiden Moriello, Shawn O'Donnell, Grant Silkalns, Jan Vaarwerk
Freshmen: Dylan Cook, Chris Delaney, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Rivelli

Goalies (2):
Senior: Edvard Nordlund, Henry Welsch
Junior:
Sophomore:
Freshman:

This leaves us at 28 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 8
Juniors: 7
Sophomores: 6
Freshmen: 7

25/26 roster

Defense (9):
Seniors: Mitchell Becker, T.J. Schweighardt
Juniors: Sean Kilcullen
Sophomore: Daniel Buchbinder, Daniil Dolzhenko
Freshmen: Rowan Guest, Ryan Kroll, Cullen McCrate, Carsen Olsen

Forwards (17):
Seniors: Dillan Bentley, Jack Collins, Nick Rheaume, Roc Truman, Scout Truman
Juniors: Jonathan Horn, Jaiden Moriello, Shawn O'Donnell, Grant Silkalns, Jan Vaarwerk
Sophomores: Dylan Cook, Chris Delaney, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Rivelli
Freshmen: Lucas Busch, Easton Jacobs

Goalies (0):
Senior:
Junior:
Sophomore:
Freshman:

This leaves us at 26 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 7
Juniors: 6
Sophomores: 7
Freshmen: 6

Could Nordlund be eligible for 25-26? Don't think he played a single minute his freshman year, not sure if that means that year doesn't count for eligibility or not

 

[boblav1]

Nice job Monty with the roster projections. Based on the latest update the Hawks have to find a goaltender and I think they'll bring in another defenseman. It would be nice to get a goal scoring forward from the portal but at 18 forwards I'm not sure there's room.

I'm not sure about Nordlund eligibility for 25-26.

 

[chiefs11]

More will leave we can find room

 

[boblav1]

Recruit stats through 4/7/24. [TABLE="width: 952"]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl79"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl65"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl77"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl65"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl65"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl87, colspan: 4"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl65"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl88, colspan: 4"]Playoffs[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl80"]Recruit[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]DOB[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]Pos.[/TD]
[TD="class: xl82"]Team[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]NZ[/TD]
[TD="class: xl83"]GP[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]G[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]A[/TD]
[TD="class: xl83"]T[/TD]
[TD="class: xl65"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl83"]GP[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]G[/TD]
[TD="class: xl81"]A[/TD]
[TD="class: xl83"]T[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Dylan Cook[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]03/02/03[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Austin (NAHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.50[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]57[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]38[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]52[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Dominick Rivelli[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]08/01/03[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]New Jersey (NAHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.50[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]54[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]31[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]17[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]48[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Libor Nemec[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]09/03/03[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Green Bay (USHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]4.00[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]52[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]25[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]23[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]48[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Daniel Buchbinder[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]07/07/04[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Penticton (BCHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]54[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Daniil Dolzhenko[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]08/31/04[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Wisconsin (NAHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.50[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]53[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]22[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Chris Delaney[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]09/25/04[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Madison (USHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]60[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]30[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]41[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Lee Parks[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]10/16/04[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Fargo (USHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]60[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]30[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]28[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]58[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Nick Romeo[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]05/02/05[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Dubuque (USHL) / Maine (NAHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]60[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]23[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]41[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Lucas Busch[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]09/29/05[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Maple Grove (MN HS) / Wisconsin (NAHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.25[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]41[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]25[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]27[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]52[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Charlie Kresl[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]01/27/06[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl86"]Bishop Kearney Selects U18 [/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.50[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]57[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]39[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]59[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Easton Jacobs[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]01/29/06[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]F[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Sioux City (USHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]39[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl74"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Rowan Guest[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]01/31/06[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Pacific Coast Academy[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]27[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]23[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]34[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Carson Olsen[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]03/03/06[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Battlefords (SJHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]51[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]30[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Ryan Kroll[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]04/04/06[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Omaha (USHL)[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.50[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]53[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Kyle Jones[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]02/27/07[/TD]
[TD="class: xl68"]G[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]LA Jr. Kings[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]4.00[/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"]42[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"]2.12[/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Cullan McCrate[/TD]
[TD="class: xl67"]04/18/07[/TD]
[TD="class: xl78"]D[/TD]
[TD="class: xl66"]Little Caesars 16U[/TD]
[TD="class: xl69"]3.75[/TD]
[TD="class: xl78"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl73, bgcolor: white"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: xl75, bgcolor: #bfbfbf"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl70"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD="class: xl71"] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

- NZ has not rated Carson Olsen.
- I haven't been able to find stats for Cullan McCrate.
- Easton Jacobs is listed as injured and has not played since 3/1/24.
- Libor Nemec is currently serving a 6-game suspension for cross checking.

 

[boblav1]

Celebrini tops Central Scouting North American ranking for 2024 NHL Draft | NHL.com

Lee Parks is ranked at 199, in the 7th round, for NA skaters.

 

[UMLFan]

Celebrini tops Central Scouting North American ranking for 2024 NHL Draft | NHL.com

Lee Parks is ranked at 199, in the 7th round, for NA skaters.

I believe Meehan was the last draft pic we had? That tells you the problem with our recruiting.

 

[boblav1]

I believe Meehan was the last draft pic we had? That tells you the problem with our recruiting.

Yes, I noticed that UMA just picked up a commitment (David Alexander Jencko) and he has a 4.25 rating on NZ. Granted the NZ ranking is not the end all but still, Lowell recruits are usually in 3.75 range.

 

[UMLFan]

Yes, I noticed that UMA just picked up a commitment (David Alexander Jencko) and he has a 4.25 rating on NZ. Granted the NZ ranking is not the end all but still, Lowell recruits are usually in 3.75 range.

I would bet that on average, we're one of the lower ones in Hockey East. I'm not sitting here expecting Lowell to have 15 draft picks on the roster, but having none on the roster isn't a good sign for recruiting other players either. Talent begets talent.

 

[chiefs11]

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist

 

[ScottK]

I would bet that on average, we're one of the lower ones in Hockey East. I'm not sitting here expecting Lowell to have 15 draft picks on the roster, but having none on the roster isn't a good sign for recruiting other players either. Talent begets talent.

The following players were also draft picks while playing at Lowell under Norm:

Logan Neaton
Croix Evingson
Garrett Metcalf
Evan Campbell
Dmitri Sinitsyn

Just because a guy is drafted doesn't mean anything. Chad Ruhwedel wasn't drafted and has played 12 years in the NHL. Christian Folin played 7 years in the NHL and wasn't drafted.

 

[chiefs11]

New goalie on the way good deal NORM.

 

[boblav1]

New goalie on the way good deal NORM.

Beni Halasz - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

The season is over for Ryan Kroll as Omaha did not qualify for the USHL playoffs.
The season is over for Chris Delaney and Madison as they were eliminated in the first round of the USHL playoffs by Youngstown 2 games to 1. Chris had 5 points (0-5-5) in the 3 games.

 

[UMLFan]

The following players were also draft picks while playing at Lowell under Norm:

Logan Neaton
Croix Evingson
Garrett Metcalf
Evan Campbell
Dmitri Sinitsyn

Just because a guy is drafted doesn't mean anything. Chad Ruhwedel wasn't drafted and has played 12 years in the NHL. Christian Folin played 7 years in the NHL and wasn't drafted.

Yes, I get how it works. As I said, I don't expect Lowell to have a BC type roster with 15 draft picks. But not having a single one doesn't help, no matter how you want to spin it. Did having Meehan be drafted help bring in other recruits ... I have no idea? Does not having a single NHL level player on the roster help bring in the talent needed to actually compete in Hockey East? Well, I think we all know the answer to that. Having three or four draft picks on the roster isn't a bad thing and also tells the fans that you are recruiting a slightly higher level.

 

[UMLFan]

Updated 5/1: Adding Johnson, removing Dolzhenko and Guest
Updated 4/25: Adding Carpentier through the portal, adding recruit MacDonald, rmoving O'Donnell out to the portal. A new update with a couple of changes:

1. Beni Halasz added through the portal.
2. Heisenberg now showing Buchbinder and Dolzhenko 2025 commits, so amending that as well. If that's correct, we only have 7 D for next year.

With the commits over the past few months, and now the portal in play, here's an update for the Lowell roster going out a couple of years. As always, a lot can change between now and then. For now, I still don't know who will be in goal for the 2025/2026 season.

I've left Jones and Kresl for the 2026/2027 season as per Chris' site.

24/25 roster

Defense (7):
Seniors: Nick Andrews, Pierson Brandon, Isac Jonsson, Jack Robilotti
Juniors: Mitchell Becker, T.J. Schweighardt
Sophomore: Sean Kilcullen
Freshmen:

Forwards (20):
Seniors: Ian Carpentier, Owen Cole, Matt Crasa, Stefan Owens
Juniors: Dillan Bentley, Jack Collins, Nick Rheaume, Roc Truman, Scout Truman
Sophomores: Jonathan Horn, Jaiden Moriello, Grant Silkalns, Jan Vaarwerk
Freshmen: Dylan Cook, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Rivelli, Nick Romeo

Goalies (3):
Senior: Edvard Nordlund, Henry Welsch
Junior: Beni Halasz
Sophomore:
Freshman:

This leaves us at 30 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 10
Juniors: 8
Sophomores: 5
Freshmen: 7

25/26 roster

Defense (8):
Seniors: Mitchell Becker, T.J. Schweighardt
Juniors: Sean Kilcullen
Sophomore:
Freshmen: Daniel Buchbinder, Jacob Johnson, Ryan Kroll, Cullen McCrate, Carsen Olsen

Forwards (18):
Seniors: Dillan Bentley, Jack Collins, Nick Rheaume, Roc Truman, Scout Truman
Juniors: Jonathan Horn, Jaiden Moriello, Grant Silkalns, Jan Vaarwerk
Sophomores: Dylan Cook, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Rivelli, Nick Romeo
Freshmen: Lucas Busch, Easton Jacobs

Goalies (1):
Senior: Beni Halasz
Junior:
Sophomore:
Freshman:

This leaves us at 27 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 8
Juniors: 5
Sophomores: 7
Freshmen: 7

 

[UMLFan]

19 year old Jacob MacDonald of the Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) has committed to Lowell. The forward is listed as 6'1, 185. He had a 22-19-41 line in 44 games this season and a 2-2-4 in 3 playoff games so far. He's listed by NZ as a 3.25* recruit. Born in Fort Worth, TX, he is in his second full season with the Brahmas, having put up a 5-11-16 in 44 games last season.

 

[UMLFan]

Well two less commits now. I don't know if Dolzhenko (3.5* according to NZ) decommitted because he was asked to play another year of Juniors, but he's no longer committed to Lowell. And Rowen Guest (3.75) has signed with Major Junior team Kelowna in the WHL.

 

[boblav1]

Well two less commits now. I don't know if Dolzhenko (3.5* according to NZ) decommitted because he was asked to play another year of Juniors, but he's no longer committed to Lowell. And Rowen Guest (3.75) has signed with Major Junior team Kelowna in the WHL.

If that is the case with Daniil I don't blame him. Next season would be his fourth year in juniors. It seems like he's been in the pipeline forever; he turns 20 in August.

Too bad about Guest.
Rockets recruit CSSHL U18 captains Guest and Pankratz - Western Hockey League (chl.ca)

 

[chiefs11]

New recruit on the way JJ.

 

[boblav1]

New recruit on the way JJ.

James Johnson Commits to UMass Lowell | Blackfalds Bulldogs

 

[UMLFan]

James Johnson Commits to UMass Lowell | Blackfalds Bulldogs

Heavy on the freshmen defensemen in 2025/2026.
Defense (8):
Seniors: Mitchell Becker, T.J. Schweighardt
Juniors: Sean Kilcullen
Sophomore:
Freshmen: Daniel Buchbinder, James Johnson, Ryan Kroll, Cullen McCrate, Carsen Olsen

Considering they're still young, it will be a big group though. Recorded height (in order of the freshmen listed above): 6'3", 6'5", 6'1", 6'3" and 5'11"