Vermont Catamounts Season Thread 2025-2026: Go Cats Go or No Cats No?

[Snively65]

Traditionally speaking yes Hockey East has been the stronger conference. However ECAC has closed the gap in the past 15 years. For example in the past 15 years ECAC has 3 national championships and Hockey East has 3. I would argue Cornell was on pace to win the national championship the shortened Covid season. Making 4 for ECAC. Cornell was an absolute wagon that year. To your point the player comparisons are spot on but the programs are on completely different trajectories. Clarkson is the better program compared to Vermont. More investment and better coaching. What’s the status with weidler? When is his contract up? I wonder if he’s gonna be back next year.

Wiedler has two more years on his contract. Do you think that UVM has the resources to buy out his contract?

 

[Cat lover]

Neither BU or BC got into the tourney this year. They each have about 20 NHL draft picks on the roster. Not sure how you can be .500 with all that talent.

 

[ericredaxe]

Neither BU or BC got into the tourney this year. They each have about 20 NHL draft picks on the roster. Not sure how you can be .500 with all that talent.

Can't speak to BC, but on the BU side i think there was a big element of playing as individuals rather than team hockey (Pandolfo alluded to this more than once in post game interviews), at least one high end transfer underperforming (possibly with a nagging injury) and the question has come up if having the youngest team over and over with 1 and 2 year players is the best formula. With that said, we were on a good run for three years so who knows.

Regarding UVM and the athletic facilities - is there still a movement / campaign for upgrades? When we were starting to look at schools for my son it seemed as if upgrading arenas and facilities was in the works - even a "the wait is over" banner (or something along those lines). Is that something that is still alive? I'd have to think an upgrade to the Gut (even if it were a major renovation / refresh) would help the cause a lot?

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Regarding UVM and the athletic facilities - is there still a movement / campaign for upgrades? When we were starting to look at schools for my son it seemed as if upgrading arenas and facilities was in the works - even a "the wait is over" banner (or something along those lines). Is that something that is still alive?

I don't live in VT, so I'm not on top of the situation, but I don't think there's any effort underway to upgrade the rink or facilities. It's been talked about and studied ad nauseum since I graduated in 1987. I don't think it'll happen in my lifetime.

 

[VermontfaninNY]

On the recruiting front,
Liam Lefebvre ended his year in the Q with 60 points in 59 games and elite prospects has him as #70 North American skater. He should be a mid round draft pick. Neutral zone report has said he might go in the 2-3rd round. Ended 37th in scoring this year in the Q.

Logan Renkowski was named a 3.5

recruit by Puck Preps and has 61 points in 58 games in the USHL. good for 8th in the league. I think that's a weaker league than the Q or especially the OHL, but still, nice production.

Félix Lacerte has 86 points in 62 games in the Q and finished the season 5th in the league in scoring. That's what Guindon had for points in the higher scoring OHL, and he was a 4th round pick. Puck preps said he is a 4

recruit. Neutral zone said he was 4.25

.

Samuel Boyer didn't have impressive point totals, but he was also rated a 3.5

guy by Puck preps
Genc Ula is a defenseman who Puck preps has also said isa 3.5

recruit

The bottom line is, I don't want to hear about the team not being able to recruit well, or not having enough talent. They do. They either need to use it, or fire everyone until they can find someone who can. Preferably start on that now.