Sunday, March 17, 2024

UNH Commit Jack Sadowski's 2024 Championship Season

Jack Sadowski
2025 UNH Commit

"I attribute a lot of my success to my team. My linemates were unbelievable all year long." Jack Sadowski, March 13, 2024

2024 Elite 8 Championship Highlight Reel

After leading New England Prep School Hockey with 37 goals, 45 assists, and 82 points in 34 regular season games, senior Jack Sadowski fittingly dominated the scoreboard in the Elite 8 Championship game. Kimball Union Academy defeated Cushing Academy 4-1 and Sadowski scored 2 goals (and arguably 3) plus an assist.

This highlight reel shows all of Sadowski scores in his final prep school game:

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Jack Sadowski, via email, about his championship season and future plans:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your dominant season for Kimball Union Academy in New England Prep School Hockey. KUA finished last season 22-10-1, was seeded #8 in the 2023 Elite 8 Playoffs, and lost to #1 Cushing Academy 6-2 in the Quarterfinals. KUA improved to 32-5-0 this season, earned the #2 seed and just won the 2024 Elite 8 Championship defeating #1 Cushing 4-1.
What factors contributed to your team's improvement this season?


Jack Sadowski: We knew at the start of the season we had a great team. We had a bunch of veteran players who had the experience of losing in the first round of the Elite 8 and knew we didn't want to feel that way again. We used that as motivation all season.

We were obviously a higher seed this year which allowed us to get home ice for the first two rounds. We have some of the best fans in New England and being able to play in front of them was great!


Mike Lowry: Your individual performance was raised to a whole new level this season. As a KUA junior, you scored 23 goals, 19 assists in 33 games for a points per game average of 1.27. That production essentially doubled this season to 2.46 PPG with 41 goals, 50 assists in 37 games. You earned "Player of the Year" honors from both Neutral Zone Prep Hockey and U.S. Hockey Report.
What individual skills improved this season?


Jack Sadowski: I'm not really sure. I attribute a lot of my success to my team. My linemates were unbelievable all year long. I had already had one year playing with Sam LeDrew so this year we were able to build off of last year's chemistry and Corwith Simmers was really what held our line together as the center, he bailed Sam and I out a lot on the defensive end which led to more production on the offensive side for all three of us. I think we all worked really well together which created more opportunities for us throughout the season.

Lowry: Focusing on the Elite 8 Playoffs, KUA was in very tight games in the Quarterfinals (5-4 OT over St. George's) and Semifinals (4-3 OT over Salisbury). You scored the OT winner in the semis. You and the team really cranked it up in the 4-1 Championship game as you scored 2 official goals (plus a likely third that wasn't acknowledged) and added an assist.
What are some of your favorite memories from your triumphant final game playing for KUA?


Sadowski: So many great memories- I think the environment throughout the season but especially during the playoffs was awesome - at Harvard there were two great student sections that were loud and cheering the whole game. The championship game at Harvard being so close to home was great for me because it allowed so many friends and family members to be there to support me and my team.

Lowry: In our October 2022 interview shortly after you committed to UNH, you talked about the possibility of playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL before enrolling at UNH. They had drafted you in the 2022 Phase I Draft. You recently committed to the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL for next season.
What factors went into your decision?


Sadowski: A big part of my decision is that my former linemate Jackson Kyrkostas is there now and will be returning next year and then also getting another year to play with Sam LeDrew. After talking with the coaches and management it felt like a great fit. I think West Kelowna is going to help me develop and get me ready for UNH which ultimately is what is most important.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

NE Prep Championship Sunday Report, March 11, 2024
"Sadowski is a below-average-sized left-shot left wing with elite game processing and game awareness. Yes, he had two goals had a third go in but was not counted and had a primary assist on the first goal of the game but it is all of the little things that he did that made him so impactful.
On every shift, he set picks or skated through a Cushing player’s lane so they would have to break stride to pursue his teammates. In the defensive zone, Sadowski did his job and was there to lend support when his teammates needed it without vacating his ice. And as a left-wing who had the wide lane twice, he changed when he was supposed to change so the flow of the KUA’s offense was not disrupted.
His hands are silky. His passes were where his teammates could make the next play without needing to adjust their routes or their hand placement. And his shots were money."

Sunday, March 03, 2024

50th Anniversary of UNH Hockey's First Epic Season in Modern Era

March 5, 1974, UNH vs RPI, ECAC Quarterfinal
Gordie Clark
Jamie Hislop
Cliff Cox
"Charles Dickens had the French Revolution in mind when he wrote: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' but that description is particularly appropriate to the bittersweet season just concluded by the University of New Hampshire hockey team." Arthur Kaminsky, The New York Times, March 10, 1974
The proud history of the University of New Hampshire Wildcats men's hockey program began on an outdoor rink in 1926. The modern era dates back to 1961 when the Eastern College Athletic Conference developed a hockey league and UNH was an original member. The ECAC established a 15-member Division One (DI) conference beginning in the 1964-65 season but UNH did not become eligible until the 1968-69 season.

In their first five DI regular seasons, UNH finished no higher than 5th place. They qualified for the 8-team Quarterfinal round of the DI ECAC Playoffs in 4 out of 5 seasons, but never earned home-ice advantage. A weekly national coaches' poll for college hockey began in the 1972-73 season but UNH had never made the Top 10.

The Best of Times

All that changed in 1973-74 - a season filled with first-time accomplishments. For the first time in team history, UNH finished the ECAC regular season in 1st-place. In fact, they topped the ECAC standings the entire regular season.

UNH made a mark on the national scene for the first time on December 3, 1973. The Wildcats won the first two ECAC games and their 4-2-0 overall record was good enough for #6 in the national poll. From Jan 28 to Feb 24, 1974, UNH was the #2 team in the nation.

In the February 11, 1974 national rankings, UNH came as close to #1 as it ever had. The Wildcats were 13-2-0 in the ECAC and 19-5-0 Overall. 4 of the 10 coaches representing the ECAC, Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), and Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) ranked UNH #1. However, Michigan Tech retained the top rank. At the end of the 1973-74 regular season, UNH lead the ECAC with a 15-5-0 record (22-8-0 Overall) and were ranked #4 nationally.

UNH's potent first line of the captain Gordie Clark and Jamie Hislop and Cliff Cox led the ECAC regular season in scoring. Hislop (55 points) was the #1 scorer followed by #2 Cox (53 pts), and #3 Clark (51 pts). They scored 69 goals combined. Clark was named a first team All-American, becoming the first two-time All-American in UNH history. Hislop and Cox earned first team All-American honors two years later in their senior season.

Sophomore UNH goalie Cap Raeder finished the season with the best Goals Against Average (2.64) in NCAA hockey and the third-best Save Percentage (.908). Raeder also earned first team All-American honors, making 1973-74 the first UNH season with two All-Americans.
The 1973-74 season was Head Coach Charlie Holt's sixth season behind the UNH bench. By season's end, he earned the Spencer Penrose Award as NCAA Coach of the Year for the second time. He also won the award in 1969 and 1979.

Interview

I am grateful for the opportunity to interview 1973-74 UNH Captain, 2-time All-American and American Hockey League Hall of Famer Gordie Clark, via email, about his memories of the 1973-74 UNH hockey season.

Mike Lowry: What are your most lasting memories from the 1973-74 regular season?

Gordie Clark: As Coach Holt and Coach Norton worked so hard to mold our team toward success in the 71/72 and 72/73 seasons, I could clearly see the level of skating and skill improving in all positions on our team. We had 12 players returning for the 73/74 year, and when I saw the size, speed, skill and character of the freshman class on the ice, I knew we had something special. Tim Burke, Paul Powers, Jim Harvie, Barry Edgar, Gordie MacRae, Tom Osenton!

WNAC Channel 7 Boston sent the 1st woman sports anchor, Barbara Borin, to interview me which meant others felt UNH was in for a special year. Pretty nice walking around campus on a beautiful day with a very sharp 1st woman anchor!


The Worst of Times

The UNH hockey team was flying high entering the 1973 Christmas break. On Friday night, December 21st, they beat Boston College 5-4 in overtime at the old McHugh Forum. With an undefeated record of 6-0-0 in the ECAC and 9-2-0 overall, UNH was nationally ranked at #4. A few hours after UNH triumphantly skated off the BC ice, unimaginable tragedy struck.

After the BC game, three UNH players from Ontario - Warren Brown (Sophomore Left Wing, Scarborough), Dave Bertollo (Junior Left Wing, Hespeler) and Jim Harvie (Freshman Defenseman, Sarnia) - headed home for Christmas in Brown's car. At around 1 AM Saturday morning, while driving on the Massachusetts Turnpike, they were rear-ended by a truck. The serious accident resulted in the death of 19-year-old Warren Brown. Bertollo and Harvie also suffered injuries.
“It's awfully hard for young men to even comprehend something like that, let alone play championship hockey afterwards.” said New Hampshire's highly respected coach, Charlie Holt. The team lost three of their next four games." The New York Times, March 10, 1974
Gordie Clark: I will never forget the day Coach called to tell me about the crash that took Warren Brown’s life as he, Harv and Bert were driving home to Canada on Christmas break. Warren had NHL size, strength, character, skating, a physical edge to his game and already had 7 goals in 11 games! Coach and Assistant Coach Norton kept in touch with all of us and we all connected to each other.

The Brown family attended an evening for Warren, told us how much Warren loved UNH and his teammates, and that Warren would want this team he loved to continue our journey.

Resilience

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, UNH's record fell from 6-0-0 ECAC/9-2-0 Overall to 6-2-0 ECAC/10-5-0 Overall. Their national ranking dropped from #4 to #6. Needing a spark to get the team back on track, Coach Holt juggled the lineup and created the Clark-Hislop-Cox (C-H-C) line. UNH went on a blistering 10-game win streak, including 8 ECAC wins, and rocketed up the National Rankings from #6 to #2. During one 5-game stretch, C-H-C averaged 5 goals per game.

Lowry: UNH's top line with Cliff Cox at center and you and Jamie Hislop on the wings, only started playing together in early January, 1974. What were the strengths of each of you and why did the line play so well together?

Gordie Clark: Obviously, coaching in the AHL and NHL after my playing days were over, I found out how much time coaches spend on putting new lines together. I would say it was a 50/50 success rate - some lines never made it work and others did. When Coach put Jamie LW, Cliff C and me RW, the line connected immediately, and once that line stays together every practice and every game there is a sense you develop of just knowing where each of us are on the ice.

Cliff was clearly the center - good on face-offs, work with the D-men down low in our zone and then once the D won the puck he presented himself so they could pass the puck to him and start the rush. All 3 of us were right shots and Jamie was much better than me on his backhand to receive pucks and passing the puck on LW. We could all skate, make plays and score when the puck was in the “shooting zone.”


With one game remaining in the 1973-74 regular season, UNH was awarded the #1 seed and home ice for the opening Quarterfinal round of the ECAC Playoffs - both for the first time in team history. They had lost the previous two games and had dropped from #2 to #3 nationally.

The final game against St. Lawrence was home at Snively Arena. Students waiting in line for a couple hours prior to gametime had become routine. The outcome would have no effect on UNH's first-place finish in the ECAC standings. St. Lawrence was battling for one of the last playoff berths.

With UNH ahead 4-3 early in the final period, Cap Raeder - arguably the best NCAA goalie at the time - suffered a right ankle injury. He tried to resume play but was unable. Freshman goalie Dan Magnarelli, who'd played in only 4 periods all season, entered the game. St. Lawrence won 5-4. The uncertainty of Raeder's playing status for the Quarterfinal game five days away became a dark cloud hanging over Durham.

1974 ECAC Quarterfinal - Thrilling Highs, Crushing Lows

The New Hampshire, UNH's student-run newspaper, reported fans starting to lineup outside Snively Arena's entrance over 5 hours prior to the doors opening*. Throughout the game "Snively shook with noise as it never had before and possibly never will again".

The melodrama surrounding goalie Cap Raeder's availability and ability to play began during warmups. Frenzied cheers of relief and enthusiasm greeted his arrival on the ice. Raeder hung in there early in the first period and Cliff Cox scored to put UNH ahead 1-0.

The brutal impact of Raeder's ankle injury stunned the crowd with about 6 minutes left in the opening period. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers, the 8th seed in the ECAC Playoffs, scored 2 goals eight seconds apart culminating in 4 goals over a 1 minute, 20 seconds span. Raeder was done. The immense pressure of not allowing any more RPI goals shifted to the shoulders of largely untested freshman Magnarelli. The comparable burden of overcoming a 3-goal deficit fell to the players in front of him.

The first period ended in an unusual scenario. Two sets of matching penalties had been called, leaving 3 players and a goalie for each team on the ice. The second period would begin with 1 minute and 45 seconds of 3-on-3 hockey with RPI leading 4-1.



Lowry: Forty-six seconds into the second period you, Hislop and Cox scored. A second goal came 19 seconds later and a third 40 seconds later. The top-scoring line in ECAC hockey had tied the game at 4-4 with 3 goals in 59 seconds. As you watch the replay, what thoughts come to mind?

Gordie Clark: The first thought I had when I watched the video of our 3 goals in 00:59 is when Coach came in the locker room to explain the refs putting 2 players from each team in the penalty box for 2 minutes. Then he said Jamie, Cliff and Gordie will start! We all sort of looked around because normally it’s 2 forwards and 1 defenseman.

Waiting for the puck to be dropped Jamie, Cliff and I looked at RPI and they had 3 defensemen. Coach Holt knew exactly what he was doing - from the drop of the puck we dominated the puck skating forward, 3 goals behind, as they skated backwards to defend a 3 goal lead. It may not seem long but a 1:45 shift (45-50 seconds isnormal) skating full out is tough. It shows Jamie, Cliff and me after each goal with our chests heaving and mouths wide open breathing hard! But as our fans screamed and teammates yelled we just kept going!


After UNH tied the game at 4-4, goal-scoring - and UNH fans' emotions- shifted back and forth. RPI went ahead 5-4 on a power play goal late in the second period. Cliff Cox answered early in the third, completing the hat trick. It was his 27th goal in 31 games. RPI regained the lead with less than 5 minutes left in regulation.

With the clock ticking perilously close to 00:00, UNH's junior winger Mike Burkart reignited crowd euphoria, tying the game at 6-6 with 1:37 remaining. Minutes later, UNH and RPI were headed to overtime.

An unlikely RPI hero named Rick Smith brought UNH's epic season to an end. The freshman center, playing in only his 8th college game, had scored his first goal of the season during the second period. Just one minute, 38 seconds into overtime, Smith beat Magnarelli for the second time. Stunned UNH fans, who had cheered on the team as it rose to college hockey prominence, were left wondering what might have been.

Lowry: What are your recollections of the loss when it happened? Have the ensuing 50 years changed your perspective on the meaning of your last game in a UNH jersey?


Gordie Clark: Cap Raeder was one of the best goalies in college hockey and I was proud the two of us were All Americans in 1974. Without Cap, it was going to be a battle to beat RPI with Don Cutts in goal. He was one of the top goalies in the ECAC. We wanted to go further in the playoffs and we put it all out that night.

This team put UNH on the map for good Canadian and US players and became the school recruits wanted to go to! Coach Holt changed me as a person and a player, and I just retired from 42 years of working in the NHL. The game I loved!

I will never forget our fans screaming and cheering us on. I will never forget the tears we all shared.




* I can confirm how early students began lining up outside Snively Arena with the hope of getting the best seats possible. I was near the head of that line and got a front row seat on the glass next to the UNH bench.

Friday, January 12, 2024

UNH Commits Update 1-12-2024: MacPherson, Sadowski & Hyles Make NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings

Connor MacPherson
Ranked #179
Jack Sadowski
Ranked #193
Kole Hyles
Ranked #222

In the last 4 years, 9 UNH Commits were drafted by NHL teams:
~ Tim Stützle** 2020, Ottawa Senators, 1st Round, 3rd Pick.
~ Luke Reid 2020, Nashville Predators, 6th Round, 166th Pick.
~ Filip Engarås 2020, Edmonton Oilers, 6th Round, 169th Pick.
~ Alex Gagne 2021, Tampa Bay Lightening, 6th Round, 192nd Pick.
~ Stiven Sardarian 2021, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd Round, 88th Pick.
~ Tyler Muszelik 2022, Florida Panthers, 6th Round, 189th Pick.
~ Ryan Conmy 2023, Los Angeles, 6th Round, 182nd Pick.
~ Ryan MacPherson 2023, Philadelphia Flyers, 6th Round, 172nd Pick.
~ Sebastian Bradshaw 2023, Dallas Stars, 7th Round, 221st Pick.
** On the day Stützle was drafted, he was a "former" UNH Commit.

2024 NHL CSS Midterm Rankings

Will the UNH men's hockey program continue this streak on 2024 NHL Draft day next June? Obviously too early to tell but three (3) UNH Commits have taken another step in that direction. NHL's Central Scouting Service has just announced their "Midterm Rankings of North American Skaters" and these UNH Commits are on it:
~ Connor MacPherson Ranked 179th
~ Jack Sadowski Ranked 193rd
~ Kole Hyles Ranked 222nd

In October, NHL CSS identified five (5) players, committed to UNH men's hockey in future seasons, in their Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2024 Draft (see "UNH Commits Update 10-31-2023: NHL Draft Players to Watch"). They were Connor MacPherson, Jack Sadowski, Niko Tournas, Price Grimes, and Kole Hyles. Each was identified as candidates for selection in the 6th or 7th Rounds (i.e.,'W'). The grouping of 'W' prospects also includes "first-time draft eligible "work in progress" players with a limited scouting history and games played".

Of the three that made the cut, Connor MacPherson is projected as a candidate for the 6th Round of the 2024 NHL Draft, while Jack Sadowski and Kole Hyles project as 7th Round candidates.

Midseason Performance Review

Let's take a look at how these 3 NHL prospects have performed in the first half of the 2023-24 season.

Connor MacPherson
~ Connor MacPherson (DOB: 3/2/05) the 18-year-old, 6'0", 176 lbs., right-shot, right-winger from Tecumseh, Ontario, is in his first season of Canadian Junior 'A' hockey with the Penticton Vees (BCHL). Playing right wing on a line centered by twin brother Ryan MacPherson (2023 Philadelphia Flyers draft pick), Connor has scored 6 goals and 21 assists in 32 games. 4 of his goals were game-winners which is the second most in the BCHL (see video highlight). Connor is scheduled to play in the
2024 BCHL Top Prospects Game on January 19th. Last season, Central Scouting ranked Connor MacPherson #128 in their Final Rankings. Although not drafted, he (along with brother Ryan) participated in the Philadelphia Flyers' 2023 Development Camp.
Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Neutral Zone Scouting Report, December 19, 2023
"Tonight MacPherson showed that he was able to get plenty of high-quality chances because he is great at carving out space in the slot and shows very quick hands under pressure. A couple of times tonight he would make a move right into a shot. This would catch both the defender and goalie off balance a little bit he was quick with his movement. One of the more underrated parts of his game tonight was how deep he came back into his own zone to contribute defensively."

Jack Sadowski
~ Jack Sadowski (DOB: 7/29/06) the 17-year-old, 6'0", 179 lbs., left-shot, left-winger from Arlington, Massachusetts chose to return to Kimball Union Academy (New England Prep School) for his senior year. After his first 16 games, Sadowski is the leading goal scorer in the NE Prep School League with 19 goals (see video highlight). Along with 16 assists, his 35 points puts him in a tie for leading scorer in the league. He's averaged 2.19 points per game. Named MVP of Flood Marr, scored 4 goals, 7 assists in 4 games, including 2 goals, 3 assists in championship game. Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars.

Kole Hyles
~Kole Hyles (DOB: 1/16/06), the 6'0", 189 lbs., right-shot center from Exeter, New Hampshire, is a junior at Cushing Academy for his first season in New England Prep School hockey. He turns 18 in 4 days. He's played in all 14 Cushing games scoring 5 goals, 3 assists for 0.57 points per game. In the last Cushing game, a 3-1 win over Salisbury School, Hyles centered the 1st line on some shifts, scored a goal, and played on the power play and penalty kill. Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars

A Lookback at 2023 NHL CSS Midterm Rankings

Last year, the 2023 Midterm Rankings were presented on January 13th and 3 players committed to the University of New Hampshire were included. Current UNH freshman star Ryan Conmy was ranked #211 among North American skater prospects. Twin brothers Connor MacPherson and Ryan MacPherson were ranked #134 and #223 respectively.

The 2023 NHL Draft on June 29th saw Conmy drafted in the 6th Round (182nd Overall) by the Los Angeles Kings and Ryan MacPherson also selected in the 6th Round (172nd Overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers. Connor MacPherson was not drafted. UNH commit Sebastian Bradshaw, who was not identified in the 2023 Midterm Rankings, was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 7th Round (221st Overall).

2023-24 Statistics

Player NZ Stars** Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
2024 Commits
Reid Conn* 2/2/04 (D) 3.75 Chicago Steel USHL 27 2 3 5 54 -12
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F) 3.75 Nanaimo Clipper BCHL 21 9 9 18 4 -
Lars Petter Eckholm* 3/7/04 (F) 3.25 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 28 5 7 12 8 -
Connor MacPherson* 3/2/05 (F) 4.0 Penticton Vees BCHL 32 6 21 27 12 -
Ryan MacPherson* 3/2/05 (F) 4.0 Penticton Vees BCHL 32 13 18 31 6 -
Ryan Philbrick* 6/20/04 (D) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 29 2 5 7 14 +5
2024 or '25 Commit
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F) 3.75 Coquitlam Express BCHL 19 3 4 7 20 -
Brooks Bandits AJHL 3 0 1 1 8 -
Conner de Haro* 10/17/05 (D) 3.75 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 22 1 1 2 6 +5
Josh Player* 5/13/05 (D) 3.75 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 29 4 2 6 22 +5
Luca Primerano* 3/17/05 (F) 3.5 Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL 31 5 8 13 4 -
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F) 3.75 Kimball Union Academy NE Prep 16 19 16 35 - -
Wildcats 19U NEFPHL 19U 17 11 15 26 0 -
Massachusetts District USA Selects 17 6 1 2 3 4 -
2025 Commits
Nikita Konevych 6/3/06 (D) NR Austin Bruins NAHL 6 0 0 0 0 -4
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D) 3.5 Chicago Steel USHL 23 1 3 4 32 -7
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F) 4.0 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 22 1 1 2 16 -1
New England District USA Selects 17 6 4 5 9 1 -
2025 or '26 Commits
Kole Hyles 1/16/06 (F) 3.75 Cushing Academy NE Prep 14 5 3 8 - -
Central Mass Peguins EHF 18U 23 8 10 18 - -
New England District USA Selects 17 6 4 3 7 0 -
2026 Commits
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F) 3.5 Westminster School NE Prep 8 1 1 2 - -
MidFairfield Rangers 15U NE Pack 10 3 4 7 0 -
Team White USA Selects 16 5 3 1 4 0 -
Jayden Connors 2/26/07 (D) 3.75 St. Michaels Buzzers OJHL 32 2 11 13 20 -
* = Signed National Letter of Intent
** = Neutral Zone 5-Star Rating
NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, the "2024 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2024. I have based these projections on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ If a National Letter of Intent has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey prior to admission.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Friday, December 22, 2023

UNH Alumni in Pro Hockey 12-22-2023: Spotlight on Angus Crookshank

Former UNH Star
Angus Crookshank

Alumni Spotlight

~ Angus Crookshank fulfilled two hockey dreams this week. On Sunday, he made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators. Two days later, he scored his first NHL goal. This behind-the-scenes video of Angus and the Crookshank family ("Breakaway" presented by Bell) chronicles the remarkable story:



Crookshank's five-year journey from the University of New Hampshire to the National Hockey League began in the summer of 2018 when the Ottawa Senators drafted him in the 5th Round (126th Overall). A few months later, the UNH freshman scored his first NCAA goal in his third game:



Crookshank scored 35 goals, including 6 game-winners, and 28 assists in 90 UNH games over three seasons. When his junior season at UNH ended, Crookshank signed with the AHL's Belleville Senators on March 17, 2021. His pro career got off to a promising start as he scored 5 goals, 11 assists in the final 19 games of Belleville's 2020-21 season.

Next stop was the 2021 Ottawa Senators Development and Rookies Camp in September, 2021. Crookshank earned a spot on the roster representing the Senators in the 2021 Prospects Challenge. His dream of playing in the NHL suffered a serious setback on September 22nd when he tore an ACL in a game against Montreal Canadian prospects.

The necessary surgery and lengthy rehabilitation kept Crookshank out of action the entire 2021-22 season. Angus discussed the arduous road back to competition in this "Locked On Senators Podcast".

Crookshank bounced back in the 2022-23 Belleville Senators' season. After scoring a goal in his 3rd game, he went on to tally 26 in 71 games. He added 21 assists and his 188 shots on goal were the most among AHL rookies.

Before being called up to Ottawa on Sunday, Crookshank was leading the 2023-24 Belleville Senators in goals (10, including 2 game-winners), points (21), and shots on goal (80) over 24 games. In a preview of Crookshank's first NHL game, Senators head coach D.J. Smith said:
"He's played really well down there. Skates, competes, putting up some points but also can check. He deserves a chance."
So far, Angus has met these expectations and hopes to continue.

UNH Alumni 2023-24 Statistics

This table shows the updated (as of December 22, 2023) scoring statistics, penalty minutes and +/- ratings for the 23 former UNH players currently playing professional hockey in the 2023-24 season. The "Final Year" column shows the last season the alum played for the University of New Hampshire. For example, 2009 represents the 2008-09 season.

Player Final Year Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
National Hockey League
James van Riemsdyk 2009 Boston Bruins NHL 29 6 15 21 6 +3
Trevor van Riemsdyk 2014 Washington Capitols NHL 26 0 5 5 6 -3
Casey DeSmith 2014 Vancouver Canucks NHL 11 6 2 2 2.44 .923
Brett Pesce 2015 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 25 1 3 4 10 -4
Warren Foegele 2016 Edmonton Oilers NHL 30 4 7 11 8 -10
Angus Crookshank 2021 Ottawa Senators NHL 3 1 0 1 2 0
Belleville Senators AHL 22 9 10 19 20 +2
American Hockey League
Andrew Poturalski 2016 Coachella Valley Firebirds AHL 18 4 10 14 10 -2
Seattle Kraken NHL 2 0 0 0 0 -1
Filip Engaras 2022 Utica Comets AHL 18 2 4 6 4 +3
Adirondack Thunder ECHL 4 2 1 3 2 0
East Coast Hockey League
Patrick Grasso 2021 Adirondack Thunder ECHL 24 11 5 16 14 +1
Benton Maass 2021 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 21 3 7 10 6 +5
Will MacKinnon 2022 Adirondack Thunder ECHL 24 1 2 3 30 +9
Ryan Verrier 2022 Worcester Railers ECHL 21 0 2 2 11 -1
European Leagues
Tyler Kelleher 2017 Brynas Sweden HockeyAllsvenskan 19 7 10 17 8 +9
Kalle Eriksson 2023 Almtuna Sweden HockeyAllsvenskan 27 1 2 3 16 -4
Max Gildon 2020 Adler Mannheim Germany DEL 26 2 2 4 12 +6
Liam Blackburn 2020 EHF Passau Black Hawks Germany3 16 6 14 20 6 -1
Tyler Ward 2022 1.EV Weiden Germany3 25 16 27 43 8 +27
Grayson Downing 2015 Esbjerg Energy Denmark 25 8 7 15 2 -4
Cam Marks 2018 Nantes France2 11 1 7 8 4 +14
Marcus Vela 2019 HC Banska Bystrica Slovakia 27 13 16 29 28 -6
Ara Nazarian 2019 Belfast Giants England EIHL 19 6 5 11 6 +3
Kohei Sato 2021 Belfast Giants England EIHL 19 5 5 10 14 0
Mike Robinson 2022 Nottingham Panthers England EIHL 3 1 2 0 3.57 .906

Thursday, November 30, 2023

UNH Commits Update 11-30-2023: Spotlight on Josh Player

Josh Player
2024 or '25 UNH Commit

Player Spotlight

~ Josh Player (DOB: 5/13/05), the 6'0", 190 lbs., right-shot defenseman from Thorofare, New Jersey, played three seasons of 15U through 18U with Bishop Kearney Selects (Rochester, New York) - one year behind UNH freshman Ryan Conmy. Last December, Player moved up to the USHL as a 17-year-old. In 38 games with the Green Bay Gamblers, he scored 1 goal, 5 assists.

This season, Player has earned a leadership role as an Alternate Captain and starting defenseman for Green Bay. He has upped his offensive play scoring 3 goals and a game-winning assist in his last 5 games.

These video highlights show Player's range of offensive skills. Two goals came from the blueline - one wrister and a slap shot. On the other goal and assist, he skates strong to the net. Each score happened when teams were at full strength.



Josh Player verbally committed to UNH in August, 2022 and signed his National Letter of Intent in December, 2022. He graduated from high school last spring. I project he'll enroll either next fall or in 2025. It will depend on a variety of factors including how many current UNH defensemen leave the team at the end of this season.

News & Notes

~ The current window for signing a National Letter of Intent opened on November 8th and will close on August 1, 2024. A flurry of players signed an NLI with UNH over the last few weeks including Luca Primerano, Jack Sadowski, Connor de Haro, Price Grimes, Reid Conn, and Lars Petter Eckholm. 10 out of the 16 players committed to UNH have signed an NLI.

~ The New England Prep School season got underway this week. 3 UNH Commits are playing: Jack Sadowski (Kimball Union Academy, Meridan, NH), Kole Hyles (Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, MA), and George McCaffrey (Westminster School, Simsbury, CT).

2023-24 Statistics

Player NZ Stars** Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
2024 Commits
Reid Conn* 2/2/04 (D) 3.75 Chicago Steel USHL 15 2 1 3 52 -3
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F) 3.75 Nanaimo Clipper BCHL 11 3 2 5 2 -
Lars Petter Eckholm* 3/7/04 (F) 3.25 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 19 3 4 7 4 -
Connor MacPherson* 3/2/05 (F) 4.0 Penticton Vees BCHL 21 6 17 23 6 -
Ryan MacPherson* 3/2/05 (F) 4.0 Penticton Vees BCHL 21 9 15 24 0 -
Ryan Philbrick* 6/20/04 (D) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 18 0 4 4 10 +3
2024 or '25 Commit
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F) 3.75 Coquitlam Express BCHL 3 0 1 1 8 -
Brooks Bandits AJHL 3 0 1 1 8 -
Conner de Haro* 10/17/05 (D) 3.75 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 13 1 0 1 2 +2
Josh Player* 5/13/05 (D) 3.75 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 20 4 1 5 16 -1
Luca Primerano* 3/17/05 (F) 3.5 Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL 21 2 4 6 4 -
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F) 3.75 Kimball Union Academy NE Prep 2 6 0 6 - -
Wildcats 19U NEFPHL 19U 17 11 15 26 0 -
Massachusetts District USA Selects 17 6 1 2 3 4 -
2025 Commits
Nikita Konevych 6/3/06 (D) NR Austin Bruins NAHL 6 0 0 0 0 -4
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D) 3.5 Chicago Steel USHL 17 1 3 4 20 -6
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F) 4.0 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 10 1 1 2 16 +1
New England District USA Selects 17 6 4 5 9 1 -
2025 or '26 Commits
Kole Hyles 1/16/06 (F) 3.75 Cushing Academy NE Prep 1 0 0 0 0 -
Central Mass Peguins EHF 18U 23 8 10 18 - -
New England District USA Selects 17 6 4 3 7 0 -
2026 Commits
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F) 3.5 Westminster School NE Prep - - - - - -
MidFairfield Rangers 15U NE Pack 10 3 4 7 0 -
Team White USA Selects 16 5 3 1 4 0 -
* = Signed National Letter of Intent
** = Neutral Zone 5-Star Rating
NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the above table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, the "2024 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2024. I have based these projections on the following factors:
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.
~ Number of incoming transfer players and the position they play.
~ If a National Letter of Intent has been signed.
~ The year the commit and UNH coaches originally targeted for enrollment in UNH.
~ How old the commit would be upon admission.
~ Number of years in junior hockey prior to admission.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Friday, November 17, 2023

UNH Commit Reid Conn: A Hard to Play Against Defenseman

Reid Conn
2024 UNH Commit
"The bigger right-shot defenseman showed good mobility...was using his size and strength well to be physical in his own zone when needed...a steady presence at both ends." Neutral Zone, October, 2023
Reid Conn Defenseman, 6'4", 205 lbs. Shoots Right
Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
DOB: February 2, 2004; 19 years, 9 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2023-2024 Team: Chicago Steel (United States Hockey League)
Committed to UNH on July 25, 2023 at Age 19 years, 5 months

USHL Highlight Reel

In 48 USHL games last season (29 w/Fargo Force, 19 w/Chicago Steel), Reid Conn scored one goal. So far this season, he's scored 2 goals in 12 games. The first 2 clips in this highlight reel show Conn going to the net to tally these goals. At 6'4"/205 lbs., Conn can be physically intimidating as illustrated in the final 2 video clips.

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Reid Conn, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. How did you first become interested in UNH?

Reid Conn: I first became interested in UNH just following college hockey, and hearing about it from friends. My interest increased over time as I began to have discussions with the coaches, and when I got on campus for a visit to see the school and hockey program first hand!

Mike Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose to commit to UNH?

Reid Conn: During my visit, I really liked how I connected with the coaches right away, and everything about the hockey program, school, and atmosphere of UNH. Following the games so far this year and seeing the atmosphere is very exciting.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for to you enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

Conn: I will be at UNH next season.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Conn: At this stage of my development, the main strengths of my game include my defensive and play making ability / simple play. My focus area for improvement is to continue becoming a better defenseman and always working on my foot work.

Lowry: At 6'4", 205 pounds, you're known for your physical play. How do you use your size to your advantage defensively and offensively?

Conn: I can be physical in the D zone to help separate opposing players from the puck and use my body to create separation and space for myself. In the offensive one I can use my big frame to protect the puck.

Lowry: Have you seen the UNH team play? If so, how do you think you can help the team when you join it?

Conn: Yes I have seen a few games this season. My physicality, playmaking ability, and hard work ethic, coupled with my strong defensive play will help the team.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH next Fall?

Conn: Academically, I’m into business and economics. Right now I am leaning towards majoring in business at UNH.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

USHL Game Report, October, 2023
"Conn was a nice surprise in this game as not a lot of expectations. The bigger right-shot defenseman showed good mobility and adequate puck-handling skills for his size. In the 2nd period he showed good gap control in 1v1 situation with his body positioning and use of his stick to check the opponent to negate the shot/pass out of play. He was using his size and strength well to be physical in his own zone when needed. He scored the team’s only goal in the 3rd period as he broke to the net receiving #12 Brisson pass in the side slot for the goal. While Conn is a bit older for the league with the ’04 birthdate he was a steady presence at both ends."
Select 15 USA Hockey Player Development Camp, August, 2019
"Conn is a big boy at 6’3” and almost 200lbs. He had some solid battles and seemed to target the better players on the opposing teams. We liked that plus he only took one penalty. Being tough to play against was a good place to start for Reid but he did well in other areas as well. He cut off the cycle and when given the choice, forced puck carriers away from his net and to his help. His passing was sharp and he fired pucks accurately on the tape. His first passes from the zone were very good and he showed he could carry if the situation called for it. His head was always up and he looked athletic. Up ice, he made some smart keeps at the blue line. One started a play that resulted in a Pierre goal. He is an intriguing player with great size, a sharp stick and upside up the ice. One to watch as he wasn’t just a big body. He has some space to get better."

Youth and Junior Hockey Statistics

Player Season Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
Reid Conn (D) 2023-24 Chicago Steel USHL 12 2 1 3 33 -2
2022-23 Chicago Steel USHL 14 0 2 2 38 -2
Playoffs 5 0 0 0 0 0
Fargo Force USHL 29 1 3 4 27 5
2021-22 Minnesota Wilderness NAHL 50 4 5 9 18 -13
Playoffs 9 0 4 4 4 6
2020-21 Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA 16U AAA 60 5 13 18 - +51
T1EHL 16U 13 1 0 1 4 -
2019-20 Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA T1EHL 16U 3 0 4 4 0 -
Colorado Thunderbirds 15U AAA T1EHL 15U 20 3 3 6 12 -
Team Navy USA Select 15 4 0 1 1 2 -
2018-19 Colorado Thunderbirds 14U AAA T1EHL 14U 13 1 1 2 12 -
2017-18 Colorado Thunderbirds 14U AAA 14U AAA 15 3 6 9 44 -
Colorado Thunderbirds 13U AAA 13U AAA 12 4 4 8 26 -
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