August isn’t over, but activity on the recruiting commitment front has slowed down since the first of the month.
While college hockey recruiting is a year-round endeavor for coaches and prospective players, August is now significant in that it signifies the first time rising juniors can make a commitment.
A number of programs have maintained success over the years by recruiting older players and choosing seasoned junior players over the blue-chip prospects who are destined to commit at a young age.
There are still plenty of good players available in this recruiting cycle, and a number of others will pop over the coming years and end up being valuable commodities for the colleges they choose.
However, it’s fun to look at the winners and losers through three weeks of the August recruiting period.
A few schools have jumped out in front when it comes to action on the recruiting trail while others have fallen behind.
WINNERS
Denver
The defending national champions are cleaning up on the recruiting front this August.
David Carle’s program committed late `05 James Reeder (Dubuque Fighting Saints) on the first day of the month. The longtime Chicago Mission standout is reminiscent of former Pioneer great Troy Terry, now with the Anaheim Ducks.
After that, the Pioneers secured NTDP center Brendan McMorrow and Canmore Eagles defenseman Finn McLaughlin, a dual citizen who recently starred for the U.S. at the Five Nations Tournament. Those are three outstanding high school juniors who now have DU logos next to their names on the line chart.
In addition, Carle and his staff were able to flip two junior-experienced forwards for this upcoming season. Former Michigan commit Tyler Haskins and ex-Colgate recruit Jared Wright now are joining the Pioneers for the 2022-23 campaign.
It’s hard to go up against Denver on the recruiting trail right now with its recent success, combined with the tradition, facilities, overall profile of the school, and being in a major city. DU is set up for long term success, as Carle recently signed a five-year contract extension to remain behind the bench at his alma mater.
Michigan State
The Spartans were the surprise winners of the month. In hindsight, it shouldn’t be too shocking that this staff was able to turn things around quickly.
Adam Nightingale will be a great head coach and associate head coach Jared DeMichiel was a huge part of UMass’ rise to prominence. Assistant coach Mike Towns has done good things at AIC and Clarkson.
The trio of new coaches in East Lansing have landed NTDP forwards Austin Baker and Lucas Van Vliet, both Little Caesars products and Michigan natives, and Christian Humphreys from BK Selects.
MSU went out of the country for their next two recruits, landing Green Bay Gamblers left wing Mykhailo Danylov of Ukraine and Humboldt Broncos right wing Isaac Gordon of Manitoba.
This new staff will turn Michigan State around quickly, but it’s undoubtedly benefited from archrival Michigan’s tumultuous summer that included the end of the Mel Pearson era in Ann Arbor.
Boston University
Locally, the Terriers have been the story. Boston University has an entirely new coaching staff, led by new bench boss Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.), associate head coach Joe Pereira and assistant coach Kim Brandvold.
All three bring something significant to the table when BU is looking to bring in new recruits. Pereira was known for his relationships and communication skills on the recruiting trail with UConn.
That’s carried over to Commonwealth Ave., as he’s brought in a supremely talented class so far that includes NTDP forward Kamil Bednarik, NTDP defenseman Cole Hutson, and Chicago Steel goaltender Mack Celebrini, considered to be one of the top `06s in North America.
Not to be outdone, BU has also brought in Muskegon Lumberjacks defenseman Owen Keefe (Saugus, Mass.) and Mount Saint Charles left wing Callum Hughes.
Having talented teams on paper has rarely been a problem for BU. The real work starts with the program looking to turn the page from the Albie O’Connell era and find consistent success once again at Agganis Arena.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are no strangers to recruiting well, but kudos is in order for Bob Motzko’s staff. Minnesota landed NTDP forwards Beckett Hendrickson and Brodie Ziemer and NTDP defenseman John Whipple.
In addition, the Gophers reeled in Minnetonka forward Javon Moore, who had an impressive USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp in June.
Boston College
The Eagles have somewhat quietly gone about bringing in a pair of elite `06s in NTDP center Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.) and South Kent center Matthew Frost, the first overall pick of the Waterloo Black Hawks in the most recent USHL Phase 1 Draft. Both players are big-time difference makers down the middle.
Also a new recruit to BC since August is late `05 Landan Resendes of Cushing. The Marlboro, Mass., native is a quick, skilled forward who plays with grit.
Head coach Greg Brown (Hartford, Conn.) has been much more active on the recruiting trail, being seen out in Buffalo at national camps, as well as making multiple appearances at the Foxboro Prep Summer League.
LOSER
Michigan
The Wolverines have long been known for having blue-chip recruiting classes. It’s tough to bring in new commits when your head coach is without a contract.
Eventually, Pearson was officially ousted. Brandon Naurato is the interim head coach while Bill Muckalt stays on as associate head coach. Michigan brought in Sioux Falls head coach and Northeastern alum Rob Rassey to fill the second assistant vacancy.
The only commit to date is Fargo Force defenseman Brian Lonergan, a late `05 from New Jersey. Michigan has the brand name, the history and tradition, and all that goes with a Big Ten school of its notoriety to return to prominence in short order.
But, the deck of cards are stacked against them when it comes to the rising juniors.
