Well, that concludes another NCAA Hockey Season. Only the Championship between Wisconsin and Denver. Any thoughts on the prospects for the Dutchmen next year? The eastern teams did not fare well this year. Any thoughts on why?
Taking a look at the freshman class for next season, here are their stats as well as my opinions. I’ve watched some of these guys play this year including goalie Kyan Labbé who I just watched go 7 games against my Shawinigan Catarects.
G - Kyan Labbe - Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
18 yrs | 5’9” | 163 lbs
45 GP | 2.71 GAA | .912 SV% | 3 SO
Son of Jean-Francois who was a long time AHL goalie as well as many years in Europe. Obviously very undersized, and it shows in game. Gets beat high but is EXTREMELY athletic and makes up for it as much as he can with that. I believe he will end up back in the Q next season and not join the Union this year.
D - Bowen Burke - Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL)
21 yrs | 5’10” | 174 lbs
58 GP | 12 G | 25 A | 60 PIM
A very similar build and points production to the typical mold of a Hauge defenseman. I would imagine he slots in as an in-and-out lineup option on the back end to start the season.
D - Joseph Fenton - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
19 yrs | 6’4” | 215 lbs
41 GP | 1 G | 6 A | 53 PIM
The Nick Young replacement. Big body, defensive defenseman. Is eligible to play an overage year of Junior if he is so inclined, but I see him showing up and playing significant minutes. The best of the incoming freshman D.
D - Cooper Sharp - Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
20 yrs | 6’0” | 183 lbs
54 GP | 8 G | 20 A | 50 PIM
Got to watch some Sherwood Park games this season and he stood out as a true 2 way defender. In my opinion, a Fenton/Sharp 2nd line D pair would be a fantastic addition to the Union back end.
F - Tate Collins - Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
18 yrs | 6’0” | 170 lbs
51 GP | 24 G | 52 A | 28 PIM
I’ve got nothing to offer here other than I believe he ends up back in junior next season. Would love to see him move up to the OHL and play some more meaningful hockey to get a better gauge.
F - KJ Eccleston - Brockville Braves (CCHL)
18 yrs | 6’4” | 205 lbs
51 GP | 14 G | 30 A | 44 PIM
A big body forward who will likely go back to junior. Split time between Sudbury (OHL), and 2 junior A teams. If he does come in, could be a guy to develop for the future on the 4th line with his size at his age. Not a guy I would let rot in the stands like a Luke Buss this year.
F - Elliot Gulley - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
20 yrs | 5’10” | 183 lbs
62 GP | 24 G | 27 A | 56 PIM
The player I am most excited to see this season. Made a huge improvement in his first full season in the USHL and became a true top like center at that level. I anticipate he is a contender to center one of the top 2 lines next year. I’d love to see what he and Muthersbaugh could do together.
F - Peter Legostaev - Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
18 yrs | 6’2” | 194 lbs
31 GP | 8 G | 8 A | 18 PIM
The #140 ranked prospect in the draft this year, Union could have a draft pick again! He could go back to junior, but there is definitely an opening for a goal scorer on this team. He started the season in the CCHL, and was picked up by Gatineau 1/2 way through the season before making his commitment.
F - Maxime Ly - Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
18 yrs | 6’0” | 168 lbs
51 GP | 9 G | 19 A | 55 PIM
A project, for sure. If he doesn’t end up back in junior, likely will be on the outside looking in.
F - Lefty Markonidis - Omaha Lancers (USHL)
20 yrs | 6’0” | 194 lbs
59 GP | 17 G | 15 A | 46 PIM
I believe Lefty is the longest amount of time committed from this list. Looks and plays much bigger than his height and weight might suggest. He might take some time to develop, but will be a bottom 6 contributor at a minimum as a freshman.
F - Tyler Parr - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
21 yrs | 5’11” | 192 lbs
68 GP | 10 G | 22 A | 77 PIM
A 5 year player in the WHL, he comes with all the high level experience you can ask for. His point production did drop by 1/2 in his overage year, which is something to potentially worry about. But has the mold to be a future captain and an immediate locker room presence.
That’s my quick takeaways on each guy. The portal opens Monday, and that will change a lot.