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UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">19-year-old <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimoBakos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TimoBakos</a> (DOB: 7/28/00), 6'2" 174 lbs left-shot center from Augsburg, Germany has committed to <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a>. Projected 2021 enrollment. Scored 28G 31A for Augsburger U20 last season. Scored 1st <a href="https://twitter.com/USHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ushl</a> goal today in 1st game w/<a href="https://twitter.com/sfstampede?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sfstampede</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xui8236Vjr">https://t.co/Xui8236Vjr</a></p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHHockeyBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockeyBlog/status/1178041891352403970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tip of the hat to Watcher
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

It appears MS7's scouting team has connections in Germany they intend to bank on regularly.

Even with The Sarge having (predictably) slipped away to go the pro route, this seems promising.

Let's hope Germany treats MS7 as well as BC (Canada) treated Umile/McCloskey back in the day.
 
Speaking of international pipelines, I wonder if UNH being the first school to skate a Japanese student-athlete would give them a leg up on a player like this one...

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/551328/yusaku-ando

Ando is 2-2–4 in his first three USHL GP as a freshly minted 16 (!!) year old, a year after leading his Canadian Prep/Midget Team in scoring by a wide margin. He’s small and dynamic with a history of excelling on the big ice and looks like he could be a genuine NCAA difference maker...
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ACQUISITION: We are proud to announce the acquisition of 2001 forward William Margel from Madison of the USHL!<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a> commit led the USPHL 18U champion Selects Academy in scoring last season.<br><br>Welcome to Coquitlam Will!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllAboard?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllAboard</a> <a href="https://t.co/aazO6Zmqoo">pic.twitter.com/aazO6Zmqoo</a></p>— Coquitlam Express Jr. A Hockey Club (@BCHLExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCHLExpress/status/1192989775864594432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

2020
Margel- USHL 12-1-0-1
Sweeney- BCHL 24-1-5-6
Curran- BCHL 11-1-4-5
AJHL 7-0-2-2
Cafarelli- BCHL 21-10-11-21
Cronin - USHL 8-0-0-0
Devlin - USHL 13-1-1-2

2021
Bakos- USHL-9-2-1-3
Ardanaz- BCHL 23-1-4-5
J.Ring- NAHL 20-2-10-12


2020-21
Jr.Crookshank---Jr.Pierson-------Sr.Kelleher
Jr.Esposito-----So.Griffin --------Sr.Grasso
Sr.Sato---------So.Stevenson----Jr.Engaras
So.Herrmann-----Fr.Cronin----Sr.MacAdams-
Fr.Margel-------Jr.Cipollone-------Sr.Sacco
Fr.Sweeney-----So.Hankinson

Sr.Maass------So.Eriksson
Jr.MacKinnon--Jr.Verrier
Fr.______-----Fr.________
So.McElhaney----Jr.Hickey

2021-22
Sr.Crookshank--Sr.Pierson--------Sr.Engaras
Sr.Esposito-----Jr.Griffin------Fr.Cafarelli
So.Margel------Jr.Stevenson-------So.Cronin
Fr.Richels-------Jr.Herrmann-------Fr.D.Sacco
So.Sweeney----Fr.Devlin-------Fr.Curran
Sr.Cipollone----Fr.J.Ring-------Jr.Hankinson

Jr.Eriksson---------Fr.Ardanaz
Sr.MacKinnon-----Sr.Verrier
So.______--------Fr.Gagne
Jr.McElhaney-----So.________
Sr.Hickey

2022-23
Sr.Stevenson---Sr.Griffin--------So.Cafarelli
So.Richels-----Fr.Turner-------So.D.Sacco
Sr.Herrmann----Jr.Margel--------Jr.Cronin
So.Devlin-------Fr.N.Ring----------So.Curran
So.J.Ring------Fr.Leclerc-------Jr.Sweeney
Sr.Hankinson ---Fr.Winters

So.Ardanaz--Sr.Eriksson
Jr.______----Jr.________
So.Gagne-----Sr.McElhaney
Fr.______------Fr._______
 
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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNHCommits?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNHCommits</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLCentralScout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLCentralScout</a> November “Players to Watch” list <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CarsenRichels?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CarsenRichels</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cRichels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cRichels</a> ‘B’ Prospect, Candidate for 2/3 Round, 2020 Draft. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DavidSacco?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DavidSacco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dsacco20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dsacco20</a> ‘C’ Prospect, 4/5/6 Round Candidate <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BHSBengalHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BHSBengalHockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/capecodwhalers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@capecodwhalers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LAHOCKEYISL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAHOCKEYISL</a> <a href="https://t.co/n9N5NGJ1Zg">https://t.co/n9N5NGJ1Zg</a></p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHHockeyBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockeyBlog/status/1194293177924100096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

NCAA watcher said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ACQUISITION: We are proud to announce the acquisition of 2001 forward William Margel from Madison of the USHL!<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a> commit led the USPHL 18U champion Selects Academy in scoring last season.<br><br>Welcome to Coquitlam Will!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllAboard?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllAboard</a> <a href="https://t.co/aazO6Zmqoo">pic.twitter.com/aazO6Zmqoo</a></p>— Coquitlam Express Jr. A Hockey Club (@BCHLExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCHLExpress/status/1192989775864594432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

2020
Margel- USHL 12-1-0-1
Sweeney- BCHL 24-1-5-6
Curran- BCHL 11-1-4-5
AJHL 7-0-2-2
Cafarelli- BCHL 21-10-11-21
Cronin - USHL 8-0-0-0
Devlin - USHL 13-1-1-2

2021
Bakos- USHL-9-2-1-3
Ardanaz- BCHL 23-1-4-5
J.Ring- NAHL 20-2-10-12
Click to expand...

Forwards Carsen Richels (Blaine HS, MN) and David Sacco (Lawrence Academy) will be starting their senior seasons later this month. Each has the potential to be true freshmen at UNH next fall. The NHL Central Scouting Service currently lists Richels as a 'B' prospect (2nd/3rd round candidate) and Sacco as a 'C' (4th/5th/6th round candidate) for the NHL Draft this June. In his two years as head coach, Souza has added two true freshmen to the roster - Jackson Pierson last season and Robby Griffin this season.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B41EYXinqu1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B41EYXinqu1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B41EYXinqu1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Super excited to sign my NLI and officially become a wildcat! Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way!</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carsen_richels/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Carsen Richels</a> (@carsen_richels) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-11-14T02:32:21+00:00">Nov 13, 2019 at 6:32pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

2020
Cafarelli- BCHL 23-12-12-24
Ringels- Minn High School
Sacco - Mass Prep
Margel- USHL 12-1-0-1
BCHL 2-0-1-1
Sweeney- BCHL 27-1-5-6

2021
Bakos- USHL-12-2-1-3
Curran- BCHL 11-1-4-5
AJHL 9-0-3-3
Devlin - USHL 14-1-1-2
Mass Prep
Cronin - USHL 10-0-0-0
J.Ring- NAHL 24-2-11-13

Defensemen
Ardanaz- BCHL 25-1-5-6
Gagne - USHL 10-0-4-4

getting a commitment from 17 year old https://bchl.ca/stats/player/5588/40/john-evans and his 3 goals, 10 points, would immediately put him as the #2 scorer in the pipeline.

2020-21
Jr.Crookshank---Jr.Pierson-------Sr.Kelleher
So.Stevenson----Jr.Engaras -----Sr.Grasso
Sr.Sato---------So.Griffin--------Fr.Cafarelli
Fr.Ringels------Jr.Esposito-------Sr.MacAdams
Fr.Margel------So.Herrmann-------Sr.Sacco
Fr.Sweeney----Jr.Cipollone------So.Hankinson

Sr.Maass------So.Eriksson
Jr.MacKinnon--Jr.Verrier
Fr.______-----Fr.________
So.McElhaney----Jr.Hickey

2021-22
Sr.Crookshank--Sr.Pierson--------Sr.Engaras
So.Richels-------Jr.Griffin------So.Cafarelli
Sr.Esposito-----Jr.Stevenson-------Fr.D.Sacco
So.Margel------Jr.Herrmann---Fr.Cronin
So.Sweeney----Fr.Devlin-------Fr.Curran
Sr.Cipollone----Fr.J.Ring-------Jr.Hankinson

Jr.Eriksson---------Fr.Ardanaz
Sr.MacKinnon-----Sr.Verrier
So.______--------Fr.Gagne
Jr.McElhaney-----So.________
Sr.Hickey

2022-23
Sr.Stevenson---Sr.Griffin--------Jr.Cafarelli
Jr.Richels-------Fr.Turner--------So.D.Sacco
Sr.Herrmann----Jr.Margel--------So.Cronin
So.Devlin-------Fr.N.Ring---------So.Curran
So.J.Ring-------Fr.Leclerc-------Jr.Sweeney
Sr.Hankinson ---Fr.Winters

So.Ardanaz--Sr.Eriksson
Jr.______----Jr.________
So.Gagne-----Sr.McElhaney
Fr.______------Fr._______
 
Last edited:
Chuck Murray: It appears MS7's scouting team has connections in Germany they intend to bank on regularly.

Even with The Sarge having (predictably) slipped away to go the pro route, this seems promising.

Let's hope Germany treats MS7 as well as BC (Canada) treated Umile/McCloskey back in the day.

Makes sense to me, Kapstad, Gare, Henrion, and TyK (to name a few recent ones) all played in German leagues in 2018-2019, plus many others over the years.
 
Ridge Rat said:
Chuck Murray: It appears MS7's scouting team has connections in Germany they intend to bank on regularly.

Even with The Sarge having (predictably) slipped away to go the pro route, this seems promising.

Let's hope Germany treats MS7 as well as BC (Canada) treated Umile/McCloskey back in the day.

Makes sense to me, Kapstad, Gare, Henrion, and TyK (to name a few recent ones) all played in German leagues in 2018-2019, plus many others over the years.
Click to expand...

Stewie not behind the bench last nite perhaps he is shopping as we speak....
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Defenseman <a href="https://twitter.com/Alex_Gagne27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alex_Gagne27</a> from Bedford, NH signs National Letter of Intent w/<a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a> 6’3” 194 lbs. left-shot. <a href="https://twitter.com/NHAvalanche?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHAvalanche</a> <a href="https://t.co/g5J1eEgovH">https://t.co/g5J1eEgovH</a></p>— Mike Lowry (@UNHHockeyBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHHockeyBlog/status/1196224683340906497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Alex Gagne, BIG boy, still only 17 so could be looking at 6'5" or 6'6" by the time he arrives from Cedar Rapids. Plus, a local kid … but not being someone who watches the recruiting side closely, wondering from those in the know whether he is someone likely to be drafted high. someone who MS7 is looking at as a developmental project type, or closer to being more of a finished-product type??
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Chuck Murray said:
Alex Gagne, BIG boy, still only 17 so could be looking at 6'5" or 6'6" by the time he arrives from Cedar Rapids. Plus, a local kid … but not being someone who watches the recruiting side closely, wondering from those in the know whether he is someone likely to be drafted high. someone who MS7 is looking at as a developmental project type, or closer to being more of a finished-product type??
Click to expand...

From former Bruin Ian Moran, now a scout for Neutral Zone:
"We think he’s a project who will get better and better over the next 2-4 years and will end up going in the late 3rd round (of the 2020 NHL Draft)."
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

C-H-C said:
From former Bruin Ian Moran, now a scout for Neutral Zone:
"We think he’s a project who will get better and better over the next 2-4 years and will end up going in the late 3rd round (of the 2020 NHL Draft)."
Click to expand...

That's concise and to the point on my queries. Thanks C-H-C!! :)
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Chuck Murray said:
That's concise and to the point on my queries. Thanks C-H-C!! :)
Click to expand...

To flesh this out. He's raw, has good tools, but where that leaves him for the draft is in the eyes of the beholder. Currently, the NHL ratings do not list him.
https://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-css-players-to-watch

But he has the size and projection that some GM, like Moran, would value him in the mid rounds.

Filipowicz is 6'3 212. That's not a bad comp. Pass first defender. His vision is probably not yet at that level, but...
 
Last edited:
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

NCAA watcher said:
To flesh this out. He's raw, has good tools, but where that leaves him for the draft is in the eyes of the beholder. Currently, the NHL ratings do not list him.
https://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-css-players-to-watch

But he has the size and projection that some GM, like Moran, would value him in the mid rounds.
Click to expand...

Here's Ian Moran's complete evaluation of Alex Gagne from the Neutral Zone scouting service based on observations of the USHL Fall Classic in early October:
"Alex Gagne (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade – B-) Defense
(1) Brain – Alex is coming out of a league and level where he physically dominated everyone. This allowed him to cheat and take chances that he won’t be able to take at higher levels. We felt Alex got up to speed pretty quickly which is obviously a positive for his hockey IQ.
(2) Vision & Poise – He was a point a game D-man playing midgets, so we know he has offensive skills, but from what we saw he is not a lead the rush type of defenseman. We saw him make quick outlets and join the rush on a consistent basis. Alex also hit the stretch man with ease on both direct and indirect passes.
(3) Feet – Alex has good feet for a 17 year old who is almost 6’4. He has a nice stride and a strong base. I would not say he is quick, but he is agile enough to maintain tight gaps and accelerate in or out of corners. He also has a strong base and is not knocked off the puck.
(4) Compete & Effort – (Only note Extremes)
(5) Contact & Physicality – Although Alex is big, he is not a bruiser. He maintains gaps through his feet by finishing off opponents through good angles while playing stick on puck. When protecting his net Alex prefers to get there first and is strong enough to maintain net side positioning through his strong base.
(6) Release – He has a quick release while walking along the blue line and does not telegraph his shot. Alex hits the net and has the offensive instincts to shoot for his forward’s sticks.
(7) One Timer Ability – Although we did not see any in Pittsburgh, we did see Alex fire a few this past summer in Buffalo so we know the ability is in there.
(8) Body Language – (Only note extremes)
(9) Special Teams Potential – Physically has the ability to play both PP and PK minutes at a professional level. Again, he is coming out of a midget league where he was able to cheat in every situation. Will this continue or will he understand that there are limitations to what he can try? This understanding will have a huge impact on where he goes in the draft and how he projects long term.
(10) Intangibles – Alex is a New Hampshire kid committed to The University of New Hampshire. Why does this matter? UNH plays on an Olympic sized ice sheet. This can be viewed as a positive or a negative depending on the prospect. For Alex, we view this as a real positive. He’s not projected as a top pairing guy and his ability to defend is going to make or break him in the long run. So for his time in college he’s going to be playing games against skilled players on an Olympic sheet… meaning his feet have to develop or else he’ll struggle. We think he’s a project who will get better and better over the next 2-4 years and will end up going in the late 3rd round."

I've come to value the detailed, Neutral Zone (NZ) scouting reports because (1) their scouts identify who they are and what their backgrounds are (2) their scouting reports of individual UNH prospects turn out to be accurate descriptions of the player's skill set when they arrive as freshmen and (3) the UNH prospects who are rated as 4 Stars or above have turned out to be top college players. For example, before they enrolled at UNH, Benton Maass had a 4 Star NZ rating and Max Gildon had a 4.75 out of 5 Star NZ rating. NZ recently upgraded Alex Gagne's rating to 4.25 Stars. Overly long story short, UNH fans can reasonably expect Alex Gagne to play at a level similar to Maass but maybe not quite as high as Gildon. Also, by comparing Gagne's NZ scouting report with those of UNH defensemen like Maass and Gildon, fans can get find out how they are similar and how they are different.
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

(10) So, big ice is now good for NHL prospects? And he'll arrive just in time to play on an NHL sheet...
 
Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

I thought that the Whitt was going to become a tweener (90 ft width) sheet?
 
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