UNH Commit Robert Cronin: A Smart, Poised Forward

Robert Cronin
2020 or '21
UNH Commit

"Robert Cronin played Boston Advantage U18 last season and adjusted quickly to Prep. Wins races to pucks, wall battles and goes hard to the net. Can create or compliment. Effective in every area of the ice and all situations. Game is trending upward." Neutral Zone

Robert Cronin Forward, 5'10", 185 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Plymouth, Massachusetts DOB: 8-15-2000 Turned 18 in August Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Current Team: The Gunnery                        ~ Starting Center Commits to UNH: February, 2019 at Age 18 years, 6 months.

2018-19 Highlight Reel

Interview

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

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. What are the main reasons you chose UNH?

Robert Cronin: The moment I stepped on campus and saw the rink I knew I could call this place home for the next four years. Playing in Hockey East has been a dream of mine since I grew up going to games almost every weekend.
After meeting with the coaching staff and hearing their mindset and vision for the UNH hockey program's future was something I wanted to be a part of. Playing college hockey close to home was a big decision factor and to play in front of an atmosphere like one at the Whittemore Center is second to none - an opportunity of a lifetime.

Mike Lowry: What other college programs were you considering? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Robert Cronin: I received interest from Hockey East and ECAC schools. The programs with the most interest for me at the time, aside from UNH, were Cornell, Providence, Holy Cross, and Brown. UNH was the first school to make an offer and this was where my heart was set on.

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

Cronin: My target date will be determined on when I am ready to play and have success at the college level. Whether it is one or two years of juniors, my target date will be decided when I am ready to make an impact at the collegiate level.

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

Cronin: My main strengths of the game are my cerebral playmaking and my high-level hockey IQ/decision making. I continue to take pride in playing a 200 ft game which I want to continue to develop as I jump from level to level.
My main areas that I am trying to improve on is my strength and skating ability. As the game has grown to the best skaters will have the most success.

Lowry: Last season, you scored 12 goals and 12 assists in 40 games with the Boston Advantage U18 team. So far this season with the Gunnery School, your offensive production has jumped to 18 goals and 33 assists in 27 games. What factors have lead to this dramatic increase on the score sheet?

Cronin: Over the course of the season my confidence has grown tremendously which is allowing me to consistently play at a level that I strive to play at. Now, playing prep hockey, it is essential to develop habits of getting to the net. As I’ve been told by many, “Get to the net, and good things will happen”. Instilling that mindset in myself, I have fortunately seen the fruits of my labor being translated onto the score sheet.

Lowry: You played youth hockey with the Boston Advantage and Boston Junior Bandits near your home in Plymouth, Massachusetts. What were the main reasons you decided to attend prep school in Western Connecticut, a couple hundred miles from home, and play hockey for Gunnery?

Cronin: I felt it was a necessary jump to play prep hockey. After touring The Gunnery and meeting with the coaches, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to play. The distance factor wasn’t that big of an issue as I tried to focus on where I could better develop myself, to strive and be prepared to get to the next level.

Lowry: Do you plan to play in either the United States Hockey League, British Columbia Hockey League, North American Hockey League, or National Collegiate Development Conference before you come to UNH?

Cronin: I’m not 100% sure on what league I will play in next year. My main goal is to play in either the USHL or BCHL as those leagues will help me best in developing my game to be ready for the collegiate level.

Lowry: Do you plan to graduate from the Gunnery School this spring? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH??

Cronin: Yes I plan on graduating from Gunnery in the spring. I am very interested in Business and Economics as those are two courses that interest me. I am looking to major in business at UNH as they have a great business school that will help me in life after hockey.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

From the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic, December, 2018

"Cronin played U18 last season, looked very well adjusted for prep hockey. He and Jeffries dominated at times and Cronin was all over the ice and the score sheet here. He is not a true speedster but won almost every puck race. He is not tall or heavy but he won wall battles and was a constant net-front presence for tips and rebounds. He is not overly skilled but he was able to make every play with the puck often in creative but safe manners. Won faceoffs, was strong on the puck and played in every situation. Played with Jeffries who is quite skilled and they really complimented each other well as the best combo at the Classic. Cronin is smart, poised and prepared and that led to his success here. Picked up several points and seemed to make something good happen every shift. Really caught our attention and should have caught the attention of college coaches as well."

Youth Hockey & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Robert Cronin  (F)	2018-19	The Gunnery	NE Prep	27	18	33	51	2
		Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U	Beast Series	9	2	4	6	4
			18U Nationals	-	-	-	-	-
	2017-18	Boston Advantage U18	Tier 1 EHL	25	7	8	15	8
			East Coast HL	15	5	4	9	6
	2016-17	Boston Advantage U16	Tier 1 EHL	32	7	9	16	10
			East Coast EL	8	0	0	0	0
	2015-16	Boston Jr. Bandits 16U	Eastern Junior EPL	18	4	2	6	2
			East Coast EL	10	0	0	0	6

UNH Commits Update 2-8-19: Spotlight on Sacco, Curran & Margel

David Sacco 2020 or '21 UNH Commit

Aidan Curran 2020 UNH Commit

Will Margel 2020 UNH Commit

Player Spotlight - David Sacco

Lawrence Academy sophomore David Sacco is on a scoring tear. Over the last 6 games, Sacco posted 7 goals and 5 assists and the Spartans won 5 games and tied another. Here's his most recent goal - a short-hander to cap off the 5-1 win over Thayer Academy:



Lawrence Academy (13-0-6) is the only undefeated team in New England Prep School hockey. The Spartans are ranked #2 in the Neutral Zone Prep Poll and the U.S. Hockey Report Poll. Sacco, who turned 17 on January 3rd, is 6'0" and 185 lbs., and centers the team's second line. On a roster loaded with Division I commits, Sacco is tied for 2nd in goals (10), tied for 4th in assists (12) and 3rd in scoring (22).

The Spartans are coached by former UNH hockey fan favorite Robbie Barker, a rugged defenseman from Concord, NH. Barker has been pleased with Sacco's progress:

“David has been a great addition to the team. He has adjusted nicely to the pace of prep hockey and has recently started to play with more confidence and find a lot of success. David is a physical presence an all three zones and a threat to score every time he has the puck. I am extremely happy with the adjustments David has made since entering LA and excited to see what the remainder of the year has in store."

Player Spotlight - Aidan Curran

Aidan Curran (DOB: 1/22/01), who just turned 18, is one of the youngest players in the National Collegiate Development Conference. The average age for the league is 19 years old and many players are 20. Despite this age difference, Curran is the 5th leading scorer in the NCDC with 44 points in 41 games. The 5'11", 179 lbs., right-shot center for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs also has the 2nd most assists (35) in the league.

On January 21st, Curran played in the NCDC All-Star game. Although he didn't tally any points, the scouts from Neutral Zone rated Curran as one of the top performers:

"Aidan Curran was likely the youngest player in this game and was also the most consistent. Ever since his breakout performance at MA Festival this past summer he has been on a tear playing in the NCDC. We didn’t learn much new about him in this game but he was very aggressive in his play and showed excellent concentration when possessing the puck. He has a good stick in all three zones and leans hard on it when he gains possession. He is trending in the right direction and can still improve as he continues to add strength. Grade: A"

At the end of the regular season, the top 4 teams are granted home ice in the NCDC Playoffs. Over the last 5 games, the Jr. Monarchs registered a 3-1-1 record and moved up to third place in the NCDC. During that stretch, Curran posted a goal and 6 assists. They have 9 games remaining in the regular season.

Curran is on track to graduate from high school this spring. He plans to play one more season of junior hockey and enroll at UNH in the Fall of 2020.

Player Spotlight - Will Margel

Last weekend, Will Margel became the top, regular season goal-scorer in the history of the Selects Hockey Academy U18 team. The Cardinals' starting left winger scored his 40th goal of the 2018-19 season. He broke the record held by 2018 alum Shane Pinto, a University of North Dakota commit who could be a 1st round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Margel also boosted his assist total to 40. He now trails the Selects Academy U18 all-time leader in regular season points, 2018 alum Kyle Haskins, by just 11 point. Haskins, a Michigan State commit, tallied 91 points in 61 regular season games in 2017-18. With 4 games remaining in the regular season, the Selects Academy 18U team is ranked #5 in the nation.

News & Notes

German Development League (DNL):

~ Just prior to the MacPherson Hockey Tournament at St. Andrews College two weekends ago, 2020 UNH Commit Tim Stützle was injured again. After the tournament, the Jungadler Mannheim U20 team returned to Germany and resumed their DNL U20 schedule. Stützle missed both games last weekend. The goal is to return to the lineup no later than the DNL Playoffs in early March.

New England Prep School Hockey:

~ 2019 or '20 UNH Commit Connor Sweeney, a teammate of David Sacco's on the Lawrence Academy squad, has also been a steady scorer in recent weeks. Over the last 7 games, the senior has tallied 2 goals and 5 assists. Sweeney, a 6'2", 195 lbs. forward, has been playing left wing on the Spartans' starting lineup.

~ 2021 UNH Commit Liam Devlin, an 18-year-old junior at St. Sebastian's School, is tied for 5th in scoring (7-13-20 in 21 games) on the team. The Arrows (15-4-0) are ranked #5 in the Neutral Zone Prep Poll and #6 in the U.S. Hockey Report Poll.

~ 2021 or '22 commit Morgan Winters, a sophomore at Tabor Academy, continues to lead the team in goals (11), assists (18) and points (29). Although Tabor is below .500 this season, they have won 2 of their last 3 games. In the 8-5 win over Governor's last week, Winters scored a hat trick and dished out 2 assists. On Wednesday, Tabor downed Milton 6-3 and Winters contributed 2 assists.

2018-19 Statistics

NOTE
The statistics for the commits, presented in the following table, are categorized by the projected year they will enroll in UNH. For example, the "2019 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2019. I have based these projections on a number of factors including:
~ 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.
~ Number of UNH players leaving the team at the end of the previous season and the position they played.

Player	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
2019 Commits
Lucas Bahn 9/11/99 (D)	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	50	3	16	19	12
Kalle Eriksson 9/15/99 (D)	Madison Capitals	USHL	14	1	7	8	8
	Omaha Lancers	USHL	24	1	12	13	6
Nolan McElhaney 4/22/99 (D)	Omaha Lancers	USHL	5	0	0	0	2
Chase Stevenson 1/13/99 (F)	Trail Smoke Eaters	BCHL	25	8	15	23	24
	Surrey Eagles	BCHL	25	10	12	22	37
2019 or '20 Commits
Connor Sweeney 5/5/00 (F)	Lawrence Academy	NE Prep	19	4	12	16	20
	Islanders Hockey Club	NCDC	1	2	0	2	0
	Little Bruins 18U	Tier I 18U	9	1	2	3	2
2020 Commits
Aidan Curran 1/22/01 (F)	NH Jr Monarchs	NCDC	41	9	35	44	32
Zack Jones 3/31/01 (F)	Boston Bandits	NCDC	38	4	24	28	10
Will Margel 3/16/01 (F)	Selects Academy 18U	Overall	51	40	40	80	18
		USPHL 18U	5	4	7	11	4
		BEAST Series	10	9	5	14	8
		NE Regionals	5	3	3	6	-
Tim Stützle 1/15/02 (F)	Mannheim Young Eagles	DNL U20	21	23	32	55	30
	Team Germany U20	Intnl	-	-	-	-	-
Marek Wazny 2/21/00 (F)	Maryland Black Bears	NAHL	36	5	9	14	18
2020 or '21 Commits
Nick Ardanaz 5/30/02 (D)	Delta Prep	CSSHL	29	5	23	28	8
	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	3	0	0	0	0
David Sacco 1/3/02 (F)	Lawrence Academy	NE Prep	18	10	12	22	22
2021 Commits
Liam Devlin 1/7/01 (F)	St. Sebastian's	NE Prep	21	7	13	20	2
	Boston Jr. Eagles	EHF Selects	11	3	5	8	8
		Mass Regionals	3	3	0	3	-
2021 or '22 Commits
Morgan Winters 12/8/01 (F)	Tabor Academy	NE Prep	21	11	18	29	4
	Little Bruins 18U	Tier I 18U	7	0	0	0	0
* = Signed National Letter of Intent