UML Recruiting: Finally in the 20s!

[rpi82]

What does that tell you about the program?

Four decommitting at the same time sounds as if the coaches did a review of the current status of the roster, future needs, and the new recruiting playing field and decided that those four no longer fit. Unless they each have the same advisors it would be incredibly unusual for four to draw the same conclusion simultaneously. By contrast, I could easily see the output from a program review being conveyed to multiple players at the same time.

 

[Patman]

Personally, I think that these four (being all 05s) see that playing time here next year will be tough. As I put together the roster for next season, we had over 30 which is a large group of players. I can see Bazin and Co going back to the Major Junior ranks next year to try and fill a spot or two.

But honesty, I really have no idea what's going on. The program has grown stagnant the past few years.

I mean youre going to be stagnant if youre lowell and you get off years. The types of players that Blaise and norm targeted are now most of hockey culture these days. Things changed. I still say the problem was not trying to go after better players when we started to do better. You may not win all the top levels, we arent bc and bu. But you dont need to. I still think norm is a solid coach but the roster building in the recent previous has been putrid. And now in the NIL era... well, times up and we are on the short end

 

[gambo5]

I mean youre going to be stagnant if youre lowell and you get off years. The types of players that Blaise and norm targeted are now most of hockey culture these days. Things changed. I still say the problem was not trying to go after better players when we started to do better. You may not win all the top levels, we arent bc and bu. But you dont need to. I still think norm is a solid coach but the roster building in the recent previous has been putrid. And now in the NIL era... well, times up and we are on the short end

We haven't had a real good team since we had Lee and we lost a mass in the garden. It's time for Norm to go.

 

[ScottK]

We haven't had a real good team since we had Lee and we lost a mass in the garden. It's time for Norm to go.

If 2 mediocre years and 1 bad year is what it takes to get rid of the most successful coach (in terms of winning percentage) that this program has had in the Division 1 era, then who do you think would be a good replacement and could do a better job?

Not for nothing, but perhaps the constant changing of assistant coaches has something to do with this as well. Since 2015-16, the only seasons where the coaching staff was exactly the same as the year before was 2021-22/2022-23 and 2023-24/2024-25.

 

[Middle Street]

If 2 mediocre years and 1 bad year is what it takes to get rid of the most successful coach (in terms of winning percentage) that this program has had in the Division 1 era, then who do you think would be a good replacement and could do a better job?

Not for nothing, but perhaps the constant changing of assistant coaches has something to do with this as well. Since 2015-16, the only seasons where the coaching staff was exactly the same as the year before was 2021-22/2022-23 and 2023-24/2024-25.

I guess the Patriots should have kept Bill Belichick then

 

[Lowell2001]

Lucas Busch has decommitted from Lowell. '05 F has 4-5-9 in 18 games with Surrey in the BCHL this season.

 

[Lowell2001]

Might just be a coincidence, but I think it's interesting that the 5 decommits over the last week have all been American born and 4 of them are playing in U.S. junior leagues. Based on our freshman class I asusme the coaches are spending a ton of time north of the border, and I wouldn't be surprised if the CHL has already become their #1 focus for recruiting. Not that I have an issue with that. After all, it is the country of hockey.

When I saw the first four all decommit on the same day last week I was alarmed, but after seeing some of your comments it's logical that there weren't spots for them anymore. However, I definintely think part of it also has to do with a shifting recruiting philosophy.

 

[ScottK]

I guess the Patriots should have kept Bill Belichick then

So you're saying that Andre Lee = Tom Brady?

 

[UMLFan]

Might just be a coincidence, but I think it's interesting that the 5 decommits over the last week have all been American born and 4 of them are playing in U.S. junior leagues. Based on our freshman class I asusme the coaches are spending a ton of time north of the border, and I wouldn't be surprised if the CHL has already become their #1 focus for recruiting. Not that I have an issue with that. After all, it is the country of hockey.

When I saw the first four all decommit on the same day last week I was alarmed, but after seeing some of your comments it's logical that there weren't spots for them anymore. However, I definintely think part of it also has to do with a shifting recruiting philosophy.

And all five were '05s. So if nothing changes, we won't have a 21 year old freshman to start the season next year.

 

[UMLFan]

Well with all the decommits, that changes things a bit in regards to the roster size for the next two classes.

26/27 roster

Defense (12):
Seniors: Sean Kilcullen
Juniors: Daniel Buchbinder, Dominic Payne
Sophomore: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Freshmen: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen

Forwards (15):
Seniors: Jaiden Moriello, Jan Vaarwerk
Juniors: Mirko Buttazoni, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominick Rivelli
Sophomores: David Adaszynski, Diego Buttazzoni, Cole Lonsdale, Dalyn Wakely
Freshmen: Abzal Alibek, Easton Jacobs, Charles Kresl,

Goalies (2):
Senior:
Junior:
Sophomore: Austin Elliot, Nikola Goich
Freshman:

This leaves us at 29 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 3
Juniors: 8
Sophomores: 12
Freshmen: 6

27/28 roster

Defense (14):
Seniors: Daniel Buchbinder, Dominic Payne
Juniors: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Sophomore: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen
Freshmen: Wyatt Herres, Owen McCarthy, Anthony Pedalino

Forwards (14):
Seniors: Mirko Buttazoni, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominick Rivelli
Juniors: David Adaszynski, Diego Buttazzoni, Cole Lonsdale, Dalyn Wakely
Sophomores: Abzal Alibek, Easton Jacobs, Charles Kresl
Freshmen: Tristen Buckley

Goalies (3):
Senior:
Junior: Austin Elliot, Nikola Goich
Sophomore:
Freshman: Kyle Jones

This leaves us at 31 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 8
Juniors: 12
Sophomores: 6
Freshmen: 5

 

[Will]

Well with all the decommits, that changes things a bit in regards to the roster size for the next two classes.

26/27 roster

Defense (11):
Seniors: Sean Kilcullen
Juniors: Daniel Buchbinder
Sophomore: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Freshmen: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen

Forwards (16):
Seniors: Jaiden Moriello, Jan Vaarwerk
Juniors: Mirko Buttazoni, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Payne, Dominick Rivelli
Sophomores: David Adaszynski, Diego Buttazzoni, Cole Lonsdale, Dalyn Wakely
Freshmen: Abzal Alibek, Easton Jacobs, Charles Kresl,

Goalies (2):
Senior:
Junior:
Sophomore: Austin Elliot, Nikola Goich
Freshman:

This leaves us at 29 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 3
Juniors: 8
Sophomores: 12
Freshmen: 6

27/28 roster

Defense (13):
Seniors: Daniel Buchbinder
Juniors: August Classon, James Johnson, Tnias Mathurin, Nate Misskey, Josh Mori, Luke Shipley
Sophomore: Ryan Kroll, Stephen Grumley, Carsen Olsen
Freshmen: Wyatt Herres, Owen McCarthy, Anthony Pedalino

Forwards (15):
Seniors: Mirko Buttazoni, Chris Delaney, Jacob MacDonald, Libor Nemec, Lee Parks, Dominic Payne, Dominick Rivelli
Juniors: David Adaszynski, Diego Buttazzoni, Cole Lonsdale, Dalyn Wakely
Sophomores: Abzal Alibek, Easton Jacobs, Charles Kresl
Freshmen: Tristen Buckley

Goalies (3):
Senior:
Junior: Austin Elliot, Nikola Goich
Sophomore:
Freshman: Kyle Jones

This leaves us at 31 on the roster, with the class breakdown being:
Seniors: 8
Juniors: 12
Sophomores: 6
Freshmen: 5

Isn't Payne a Defenseman?

 

[Middle Street]

So you're saying that Andre Lee = Tom Brady?

No. You must be confusing me with the other poster who mentioned Andre Lee. If you don’t recognize the analogy as it relates to a coach’s past performance, I can’t help you. Lowell is #55 in NPI right now. I hope Norm can turn it around and improve this team, but if they finish the season in the bottom 25 percent again, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for fans to want a change.

Anyway, this is the recruiting thread.

 

[UMLFan]

Isn't Payne a Defenseman?

You are correct. I've corrected it.

 

[boblav1]

Chicago Steel
@ChicagoSteel
We have acquired defenseman Wyatt Herres from Waterloo in exchange for a 2026 USHL Phase II 5th Round Pick. Welcome to the Steel, Wyatt!