Now that Coach Carvel and his workers have indicated that they’re completed assembling their first recruiting class and we all know in regards to the present gamers who won’t be returning subsequent 12 months, it’s time to take a contemporary have a look at the place this system is from a recruiting standpoint. Recruiting is a fluid scenario even in regular conditions, so it’s been a problem to attempt to sustain with all the brand new names which have not too long ago dedicated whereas following which earlier recruits are nonetheless dedicated to the varsity. I imagine all my data is updated. So first up, let’s check out the long run Minutemen due in Amherst this fall.
Shane Bear – D – Brooks Bandits (AJHL) – 2016 (NLI Signed)
44 GP / 11 G / 31 A / 42 Pts / 56 PIM
Bear was a key to the Bandits’ championship season. He had a powerful common season the place he was a finalist for AJHL Defenseman of the 12 months and was thought of one of many high defensive blueliners within the league. Nonetheless, his close to level a sport tempo reveals that he can transfer the puck nicely as nicely. Bear was on the Canada West workforce on the World Junior A Championships this previous 12 months (Kurt Keats and Callum Fryer performed within the WJAC final 12 months). He appears small (5’10”) however rugged. I used to be joyful to listen to that he remained dedicated for this fall regardless of the teaching change. The varsity not too long ago made his dedication official:
Niko Hildenbrand – RW – Fargo Pressure (USHL) – 2016
46 GP / 10 G / 12 A / 21 pts / 46 PIM / +2
Hildenbrand had 13 factors in 24 video games with Fargo after being traded from Waterloo midseason. Like Bear, Hildenbrand initially dedicated to UMass when John Micheletto was coach and has remained in UMass’ plans. It’s probably that the present workers has appear him plenty of instances as Hildenbrand can be one in every of three Fargo Pressure gamers on this 12 months’s class.
Griff Jeszka– C – Brookings Blizzard (NAHL) – 2016 (LOI Signed)
59 GP / 15 G / 33 A / 48 pts / 60 PIM / -10
Jeszka was the primary commit of the Carvel period at UMass. His 48 factors led the Blizzard within the common season and was tied for thirtieth within the NAHL. For that he was named the workforce’s MVP. Jeszka is a two-way heart with first rate dimension at 6’1”, 195lbs. His dedication was additionally not too long ago introduced by UMass:
Jake McLaughlin – D – Fargo Pressure (USHL) – 2016
59 GP / 4 G / 7 A / 11 pts / 34 PIM / +13
McLaughlin was initially a St Lawrence recruit however modified his dedication after the teaching change. McLaughlin is a mentioned to be a defensive oriented defensemen who can be a powerful skater.
Ryan Wischow – G – Fargo Pressure (USHL) – 2016 (LOI Signed)
24-22-1 / .917 Save % / 2.29 GAA / 5 Shutouts
Like McLaughlin Wischow performed for Fargo this previous season and was additionally initially slated to go to Saint Lawrence. Wischow was one of many higher goaltenders within the USHL this season. He was 4th within the league in objectives in opposition to common, eighth in save proportion, and led the league with Cedar Rapids’ Benjamin Blacker in shutouts. At one level within the season he had a 151 minute shutout streak. He was additionally tied for the lead league in video games performed. He was a high goaltender within the NAHL earlier than heading to Fargo. Right here’s the varsity’s launch on Wischow:
Jack Suter – RW – Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) – 2016
60 GP / 14 G / 26 A / 40 pts / 38 PIM / +11
Suter was second on Sioux Falls in factors this season and was tied for first in assists. His 40 factors put him tied for forty third within the USHL in whole scoring. He was initially dedicated to play at Air Pressure however had second ideas about becoming a member of the academy. In 2013 Over The Boards described him as a shoot-first ahead.
Jonny Lazarus – RW – Wichita Falls Wildcats (NAHL) – 2016
54 GP / 16 G / 30 A / 46 pts / 33 PIM / +26
Lazarus was third on his workforce in factors. He scored on almost 1/fifth of his pictures, along with his 16 objectives approaching simply 84 pictures on purpose. Lazarus is called a affected person two-way ahead who excels on the ability play.
Brett Boeing – LW – Michigan Tech (WCHA)/Dubuque (USHL) – 2016
Michigan Tech: 11 GP / 1 G / 5 A / 6 pts / 0 PIM / +0
Dubuque: 31 GP / 6 G / 12 A / 18 pts / 35 PIM / +0
Boeing was a key a part of Michigan Tech’s recruiting class final fall however issues didn’t work out in Houghton and he left to return to Dubuque the place he had beforehand been an assistant captain. In his final full season with Dubuque in 2014-15 he had 28 objectives and 20 assists in 60 video games, ending ninth within the league in scoring. He’ll be eligible to play for the second semester. It’s at present unknown if he’ll be on campus for the primary semester or within the USHL.
Luke McElhenie – LW – Madison Capitols (USHL) – 2016
60 GP / 14 G / 13 A / 27 pts / 16 PIM / +6
McElhenie’s 14 objectives was fifth greatest for Madison this season. The Wisconsin native joined his native states USHL franchise after a powerful highschool hockey profession.
John Leonard – LW – Inexperienced Bay Gamblers (USHL) – 2017
48 GP / 5 G / 4 A / 9 Pts / 10 PIM / -1
After a spectacular highschool hockey profession for Springfield Cathedral, Leonard struggled in his first USHL season, although he did do higher in direction of the top of the season.
Kyler Nachtigall – LW – Brooks Bandits (AJHL) – 2017 (NLI Signed)
58 GP / 15 G / 24 A / 39 Pts / 66 PIM
Nachtigall has two assists in 11 playoff video games because the Bandits gained the AJHL championship. He’ll return to Brooks for one more season this fall.
Justin Dixson – LW – Tri-Metropolis Storm (USHL) – 2017 (NLI Signed)
37 GP / 0 G / 6 A / 6 Pts / 10 PIM / -8
Dixson had a memorable first season within the USHL as he was a part of a Storm squad that gained the Clark Cup:
Cale Makar– D – Brooks Bandits (BCHL) – 2017 (NLI Signed)
54 GP / 10 G / 45 A / 55 Pts / 28 PIM
Makar had 3 objectives and 11 assists within the 13 playoff video games because the Bandits gained the AJHL championship. Within the common season he amassed the second most factors for a defenseman, regardless of it being his first 12 months within the league. He was the co-winner of the league’s Rookie of the 12 months award. He was named to the division’s All League and All Rookie groups. For his spectacular season he was named Rookie of the 12 months by the CJHL which covers all of Canada’s Junior A hockey leagues. He was additionally named the Prime Scorer, Prime Defencemen, and MVP of the RBC Cup which pits the completely different Junior A champions from throughout the nation in opposition to one another. Makar is at present projected to be an NHL draft decide in 2017.
Brian Williams – C – Omaha Lancers (USHL) – 2017
51 GP / 11 G / 11 A / 22 pts / 32 PIM / +21
Williams ended the season on the injured listing for the Lancers. He ended up tied for fifth on the workforce in objectives.
Matt Murray – G – Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) – 2017
23-4-0 / .910 save pct / 2.60 GAA / 3 shutouts
Murray misplaced to Bear, Nachtigall, and Makar within the AJHL finals. He completed the playoffs 6-4-0 with one shutout, a save proportion of .941, and a GAA of 1.90. He ended the common season fifth in wins and objectives in opposition to common and sixth in save proportion. He was introduced along with his Prime Goaltender trophy (gained final 12 months by present Minuteman Nic Renyard) and Prime Goaltender Workforce award for his efficiency. He was additionally named CJHL goaltender of the 12 months (additionally gained by Renyard final 12 months).
Colin Felix – D – St George’s (NE-Prep) – 2018
25 GP / 11 G / 20 A / 31 Pts
Felix ended the common season with 31 factors in 25 video games, which was tops for defensemen within the Eberhardt division and sixth amongst all prep defensemen. He was named ISL 1st workforce. They ended up dropping to St Mark’s within the prep playoff opener. He not too long ago attended the Inexperienced Bay Gamblers (USHL) coaching camp.
In order that’s the place we stand by way of recruiting at present. Issues can change rapidly although so I’ll do my greatest to maintain up.
The Projected Future Roster web page has been up to date with the adjustments thus far.
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Jillian Jakuba within the hockey workplace put collectively this graphic highlighting UMass’ accomplishments within the execs this 12 months:
