UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Two defensemen.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am proud to announce my commitment to play Division I college hockey at the University of New Hampshire. I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, Lovell Hockey, the Northeast Generals, and the New Jersey Titans.</p>— Nags (@Joe_nagle15) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joe_nagle15/status/1231655524686598146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/272553/joe-nagle


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am proud and honored to announce my commitment to play Division 1 Hockey at The University of New Hampshire. I would like to thank my family, friends, teammates, and everyone who has helped me along the way. Excited for the future! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoWildcats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoWildcats</a> <a href="https://t.co/rXhEtR0zwh">pic.twitter.com/rXhEtR0zwh</a></p>— cade penney (@CadePenney) <a href="https://twitter.com/CadePenney/status/1231649213185957888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/398858/cade-penney



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

Sr.Maass---------So.Eriksson
Jr.MacKinnon----Fr.Reid
Fr.Ardanaz-------Jr.Verrier
So.McElhaney----Fr.Nagle
Jr.Hickey

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

Jr.Eriksson--------So.Ardanaz
Sr.MacKinnon-----So.Reid
Sr.Verrier----------Fr.Gagne
Jr.McElhaney------Fr.Penney
So.Nagle----------Sr.Hickey

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

Jr.Ardanaz-----Sr.Eriksson
Jr.Reid---------Fr.Carfagna
So.Gagne------So.Penney
Sr.McElhaney-----Jr.Nagle

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4️Cade Penney to <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a>. Skilled puck moving DMan who closes quickly to defend. Excellent on the power play and can create in the offensive zone. Smart and can male plays with his feet or his brain. 2001 has his best hockey ahead. 8⃣ reports <br><a href="https://t.co/eEJe2itreG">https://t.co/eEJe2itreG</a> <a href="https://t.co/vQLwyO11i4">https://t.co/vQLwyO11i4</a></p>— Neutral Zone (@_Neutral_Zone) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone/status/1231953175290105857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Dan]

With 18 F and 10 D - and a significant scholarship goalie still needed - for 2021-20 it’s hard to see where money for a (much needed) impact scorer like John Evans comes from...

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

With 18 F and 10 D - and a significant scholarship goalie still needed - for 2021-20 it’s hard to see where money for a (much needed) impact scorer like John Evans comes from...

They can't afford not to bring in an impact player (forward)...the program screams for one.

 

[Dan]

They can't afford not to bring in an impact player (forward)...the program screams for one.

I agree - in fact I think more than one is needed - but those players are expensive and theyre already at 18 scholarships/29 players...

Is it possible that two fulls (or close to it) still remain for a #1 goalie and a high profile/productive scorer (or two)...?

We all need to hope so (without even taking into account whether they can actually, and finally, attract that type of scorer)...

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

I agree - in fact I think more than one is needed - but those players are expensive and theyre already at 18 scholarships/29 players...

Is it possible that two fulls (or close to it) still remain for a #1 goalie and a high profile/productive scorer (or two)...?

We all need to hope so (without even taking into account whether they can actually, and finally, attract that type of scorer)...

Welp, I'm hanging my hat on the fact that while he did not come...Tim Stutzle was a real possibility. There are others...I'd like to think that what we seek, seeks us. Now put a blue and white jersey on and make some history!!

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3.75️Joe Nagle to <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a>. Swiss Army Knife type as he has an eclectic array of tools. Plays smart in his end & closes quickly. Carries the puck and creates clean ZE. Excels on the PP where he moves it without dusting it off & has a quick release. <br><a href="https://t.co/BsW1lJHwCC">https://t.co/BsW1lJHwCC</a> <a href="https://t.co/zv8jrysggK">https://t.co/zv8jrysggK</a></p>— Neutral Zone (@_Neutral_Zone) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone/status/1232063905049874432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3.75️Joe Nagle to <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHMHOCKEY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHMHOCKEY</a>. Swiss Army Knife type as he has an eclectic array of tools. Plays smart in his end & closes quickly. Carries the puck and creates clean ZE. Excels on the PP where he moves it without dusting it off & has a quick release. <br><a href="https://t.co/BsW1lJHwCC">https://t.co/BsW1lJHwCC</a> <a href="https://t.co/zv8jrysggK">https://t.co/zv8jrysggK</a></p>— Neutral Zone (@_Neutral_Zone) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone/status/1232063905049874432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks for this info C-H-C...I notice that Carson Richels is doing very well and will add some impact scoring hopefully! Where do you see him in our line up, and, what UNH players, past and present, does he emulate in your observations??

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Thanks for this info C-H-C...I notice that Carson Richels is doing very well and will add some impact scoring hopefully! Where do you see him in our line up, and, what UNH players, past and present, does he emulate in your observations??

Carsen Richels is a left-shot, power forward who plays winger. He has a chance of being drafted in the middle rounds in the 2020 NHL Draft. He may remind some longtime fans of this guy:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQ7Cjaey7Tk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Carsen Richels is a left-shot, power forward who plays winger. He has a chance of being drafted in the middle rounds in the 2020 NHL Draft. He may remind some longtime fans of this guy:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQ7Cjaey7Tk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hobey winner (Krog), future Hobey runner-up (Haydar) and future head coach (MS7) all on one line.

Those were the days, my friend …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUsIYDcDo28

 

[Lemonade]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Thanks. Serious questions, as I don't pretend to know the answers, Watcher …

Is what you state above a "UNH thing" or is it a more generally-held approach across the D-1 universe?

Did the Commesso experience change UNH's thinking and approach in this area (i.e. goalies)?

How does Souza conduct business in comparison to the Borek/Umile years (goalies or otherwise)?

From the position of someone who observes but admittedly doesn't delve into the recruiting world like you or C-H-C … it seems to me that Souza is more patient and picky than the Borek approach, which often seemed to be quantity over quality. But with the "patience" it would seem to me that you're more dependent upon decommits, finding diamonds in the rough, and coaching up those guys you do manage to bring onto campus. And blue chip finds continue to be few and far between.

Dan has always done a nice job of explaining the importance of having a "critical mass" of talent on hand, not just the odd Gildon, Kelleher or Crookshank around. And at this point, I'm not sure I see Souza getting any closer to the "critical mass" needed to get UNH to the next competitive level. I want to be optimistic, and I want Souza and his guys to succeed. But if I'm being honest, I'm not sure we're seeing that emerge … so far anyway. And with the decommits of the Commessos and Stutzles of the world - not to mention the Farabees and Foegeles etc. et als - it would seem Souza really needs to up his game soon, or we're going to be caught in terminal mediocrity for the foreseeable future. Tell me I'm wrong, please ...

Word on the street is that Commesso decommited because Mike Buckley left for the Penguins so I am not sure you can blame Commesso/Buckley or Souza for that. All parties did what was best for their own situation at the time. Keep in mind goalies care more about the goalie coach than the actual head coach and Buckley is one of the best in business and was coming off Stanley Cups working with Matt Murray....Buckley was a draw.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

All-Rookie Team

F Greg Lapointe (Coquitlam Express): 56GP – 29G – 31A – 60PTS

Lapointe’s second appearance as an All-Star selection as he was also named to the Second-Team, the 18-year-old forward led all BCHL rookies in scoring last season with 29 goals and 60 points. Lapointe registered multiple points in 16 of his 56 games this year, including six where he had multiple goals. His most consistent stretch came in December and early January when he had 13 points over a nine-game point streak. Lapointe is committed to St. Lawrence University.

F Cody Monds (Victoria Grizzlies): 57GP – 22G – 37A – 59PTS

At over a point-per-game, Monds finished one point back of the rookie scoring lead with 59 points and his 37 assists were the most among all rookies. The Providence College commit also led the Grizzlies in scoring by a wide margin. Monds registered 25 of his points this year on the power play which also ties him for first among rookies. The Brockville, Ont. native put together a 10-game point streak in November and December and totaled 20 points over that stretch. It was the longest rookie streak this year. Monds’ highlight performance this year came in a Jan. 5 game where he put up two goals and two assists in a 4-3 win over the Surrey Eagles.

F John Evans (West Kelowna Warriors): 57GP – 22G – 28A – 50PTS

After playing in a handful of games as an affiliate with the Surrey Eagles last season, Evans arrived in the BCHL for good this year. The 17-year-old started the year with two points in his first 13 games, but quickly expanded his role on the team and began scoring like a top-tier forward. Evans had a point in 14 of his last 15 games and capped things off with a hat trick in his final game of the regular season, his second three-point effort of the year. Despite his slow start, Evans finished fourth in rookie scoring with 50 points and tied for third in goals with 22.

D Cooper Moore (Chilliwack Chiefs): 55GP – 12G – 21A – 33PTS

The product of Cos Cob, Conn. stepped into the BCHL this year and had a huge impact as one of the top defencemen in the league. Moore led all rookie defencemen with 12 goals on the season as well as power-play goals with seven. He also led the Chiefs in goals, assists and points from the blueline. Moore, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, is committed to the University of North Dakota next season.

D Nick Ardanaz (West Kelowna Warriors): 58GP – 4G – 28A – 32PTS

Ardanaz burst onto the scene this year as a 17-year-old with the Warriors and put together an impressive rookie campaign. He finished the season with 32 points, fourth-best among rookie defenceman, and his 28 assists were second-most for first-year blueliners. Ardanaz has enjoyed his fair share of on-ice success this year, but he was also recognized for his work off the ice and in the classroom as he was named the BCHL’s High School Player of the Month for December. The Langley, B.C. native has turned it on offensively over the back half of the season, registering 20 of his 32 points after the start of December. Ardanaz is committed to the University of New Hampshire.

G Logan Terness (Trail Smoke Eaters): 44GP – 27W – .932 SV% – 2.36 GAA – 1 SO

Another player appearing here a second time as he was also named to the Second-Team All-Stars, Terness led rookie goalies in nearly every major statistical category, including save percentage (.932), goals-against average (2.36) and wins (27). His marquee performance this season was his first-career BCHL shutout which he earned by making 28 saves in a victory over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Feb. 14.

NOTE: Rookie voting is limited to players born in 2001 or younger

 

[Friend from Afar]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

I'm with Watcher on this, always have been:

F John Evans (West Kelowna Warriors): 57GP – 22G – 28A – 50PTS

After playing in a handful of games as an affiliate with the Surrey Eagles last season, Evans arrived in the BCHL for good this year. The 17-year-old started the year with two points in his first 13 games, but quickly expanded his role on the team and began scoring like a top-tier forward. Evans had a point in 14 of his last 15 games and capped things off with a hat trick in his final game of the regular season, his second three-point effort of the year. Despite his slow start, Evans finished fourth in rookie scoring with 50 points and tied for third in goals with 22.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Word on the street is that Commesso decommited because Mike Buckley left for the Penguins so I am not sure you can blame Commesso/Buckley or Souza for that. All parties did what was best for their own situation at the time. Keep in mind goalies care more about the goalie coach than the actual head coach and Buckley is one of the best in business and was coming off Stanley Cups working with Matt Murray....Buckley was a draw.

I remember all of this discussion. Looking back on it myself alittle while back, I noted he was only 14 when he committed, which struck me as young (but I do not know a lot about the age most of these players verbally commit so there's that). Would have loved to have had him at UNH but wasn't meant to be. We'll see him soon enough I suspect...in the scarlet BU red! (no offense any BU fans that read this if I have your color wrong...)

 

[Dan]

I'm with Watcher on this, always have been...

Everybody would love to see Evans commit to UNH. That’s not really a question. The question is does UNH have significant money left with 18 F, 10 D and a goalie already slated for 2021 and a significant need in the crease also existing...

The next question is can this staff win what is sure to be a highly competitive recruiting battle for a player of that caliber?

It’s not as simple as agreeing Evans is a fit...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Looking back on it myself alittle while back, I noted he was only 14 when he committed, which struck me as young (but I do not know a lot about the age most of these players verbally commit so there's that). Would have loved to have had him at UNH but wasn't meant to be ... )

There's a huge gulf between the approach that initially saw UNH seek to commit Commesso as a 14 yr. old kid, and the approach 'Watcher outlined earlier, where "goalies are the one area where its best to wait", and aside from NHL first round types, "there's lots of 18-19 year olds out there". Maybe they projected Commesso as one of those NHL first rounders at the time? Not sure, maybe that's still the outlook? Or maybe it was just as a nod to the since-departed Buckley, simple as that?

But it just strikes me as inconsistent that once Commesso decommitted - for whatever reason - UNH hasn't since moved to fill his projected future roster slot. There's certainly no shortage of incomings (and in depth) everywhere else, up and down the depth chart, for years to come. Maybe they've assigned Conklin to be on the lookout for the "special one", whom ha can take under his wing and (as a past NHL goalie) show him the way forward might run through Durham? I hope that's the case, because otherwise I'm increasingly left to wonder if there's a "goalie plan" in place at all ...

 

[Dan]

There's a huge gulf between the approach that initially saw UNH seek to commit Commesso as a 14 yr. old kid, and the approach 'Watcher outlined earlier, where "goalies are the one area where its best to wait", and aside from NHL first round types, "there's lots of 18-19 year olds out there". Maybe they projected Commesso as one of those NHL first rounders at the time? Not sure, maybe that's still the outlook? Or maybe it was just as a nod to the since-departed Buckley, simple as that?

But it just strikes me as inconsistent that once Commesso decommitted - for whatever reason - UNH hasn't since moved to fill his projected future roster slot. There's certainly no shortage of incomings (and in depth) everywhere else, up and down the depth chart, for years to come. Maybe they've assigned Conklin to be on the lookout for the "special one", whom ha can take under his wing and (as a past NHL goalie) show him the way forward might run through Durham? I hope that's the case, because otherwise I'm increasingly left to wonder if there's a "goalie plan" in place at all ...

Moving early on kids like Commesso, Stutzle and Farabee is proof that UNH can attract top talent if they’re aggressive (and first), and an absolute indication they should do more of it...

However, I fear that it not working out in these cases has given them the indication that it’s not worth it and they need to wait on ‘more predictable’ talent closer to college matriculation.

The failures prove they should be aggressive, but have they instead become cautious and deciding to take the opposite approach?

 

[Lemonade]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

Moving early on kids like Commesso, Stutzle and Farabee is proof that UNH can attract top talent if they’re aggressive (and first), and an absolute indication they should do more of it...

However, I fear that it not working out in these cases has given them the indication that it’s not worth it and they need to wait on ‘more predictable’ talent closer to college matriculation.

The failures prove they should be aggressive, but have they instead become cautious and deciding to take the opposite approach?

If anything they pegged Commesso, Stutzle and Farabee and got it right all three times and should be more aggressive as it showed they have an eye for talent. If you want UNH to break out of mediocrity they have to be more aggressive in recruiting although the new rules prohibit much of that which leaves UNH in the middle/lower tier of landing spots for recruits. Waiting for decommits (thats how they landed Gildon) is shaky at best way to recruit IMO. UNH is in a tough spot and thus stuck in neutral.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

If anything they pegged Commesso, Stutzle and Farabee and got it right all three times and should be more aggressive as it showed they have an eye for talent. If you want UNH to break out of mediocrity they have to be more aggressive in recruiting although the new rules prohibit much of that which leaves UNH in the middle/lower tier of landing spots for recruits. Waiting for decommits (thats how they landed Gildon) is shaky at best way to recruit IMO. UNH is in a tough spot and thus stuck in neutral.

They could always just canvas Russia and Czech Republic and throw a parade when they get up 1 game over .500 like some other Hockey East programs!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2019 and Beyond

If anything they pegged Commesso, Stutzle and Farabee and got it right all three times and should be more aggressive as it showed they have an eye for talent. If you want UNH to break out of mediocrity they have to be more aggressive in recruiting although the new rules prohibit much of that which leaves UNH in the middle/lower tier of landing spots for recruits. Waiting for decommits (thats how they landed Gildon) is shaky at best way to recruit IMO. UNH is in a tough spot and thus stuck in neutral.

So what 'new rules' are those, and, why couldn't UNH be in the hunt just like any other team? Agree just waiting for good players to fall into your lap isn't a good strategy and I'm sure they feel the same (or at least, I would hope). I guess my question is, how do these new rules prohibit UNH from 'being aggressive' when it comes to recruits..wouldn't these rules affect any other team? Sorry if this seems naïve..but I don't see your point. I'd like to think UNH can compete for any player...