UNH Commit Ryan MacPherson: A Smart, Puck-Moving Center

Ryan MacPherson
2023 or '24 UNH Commit

"A smart center, (Ryan) MacPherson moves the puck quickly to his wingers in his own zone. He is slippery in the offensive zone, bouncing off checks while maintaining possession of the puck. He has a long skating stride that needs a bit of power to add more speed to his game." Neutral Zone

Ryan MacPherson Forward, 5'11", 180 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada DOB: March 2, 2005 Just Turned 17 2021 OHL Priority Selection: 9th Round (171st Overall) by Ottawa 67's Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Leamington Flyers (GOJHL) Committed to UNH in February, 2022 at Age 16 years, 11 months.

2021-22 Highlight Reel

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Ryan MacPherson, 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?

Ryan MacPherson: Thank you! I first became interested in UNH after talking to both coach Glenn Stewart and coach Jeff Guiliano about the school and hockey program.

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

Ryan MacPherson: After visiting the school and talking with the coaches, I instantly had a good connection, felt really comfortable with everyone we met and it just felt like the right place for me. Also, after watching a game and seeing what the atmosphere was like at the Whittemore Center, I could see myself playing for UNH.

Lowry: How important was it to choose the same NCAA school as your twin brother Connor?

Ryan MacPherson: It was really important to choose the same NCAA school as my brother because we agreed that we wanted to still play together. Playing on the same team and line our whole hockey career has really impacted both of us. Having the ability to play on the same team will make the experience much more enjoyable.

Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Ryan MacPherson: We had met with a few other schools, but UNH was the first school where we had an official visit.

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?

Ryan MacPherson: Knowing that it’s a big jump from Junior to University hockey, the discussion has centered around us enrolling when we are ready, with the possibility of that being our true freshman year (2023-2024).

Lowry: Which junior league(s) will you consider playing in before you go to UNH?

Ryan MacPherson: At this time, we are focused on our current season with the Leamington Flyers and we will look at options once the season is done. We are open to playing in other leagues (USHL, BCHL), but staying close to home and playing for Leamington again is an option as well.

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

Ryan MacPherson: I feel that the main strengths of my game are my playmaking ability and my vision. I’ve established myself as a playmaker that likes to set up my linemates. I also feel like I can see the ice really well, and can get the puck to where the open ice is.

Areas of my game I’m trying to improve are my strength, skating and shot. I feel like no matter what level of hockey you're playing at, you can always work on getting stronger/faster as well as making your shot more deceptive.

Lowry: So far this season, as a center for the Leamington Flyers in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, you’ve scored 13 goals and 37 assists in 45 games. Do you prefer playing center?

Ryan MacPherson: Yes, I prefer playing center. I’ve played center my whole hockey career and I feel like center fits the style of hockey I play.

Lowry: When do you plan to graduate from high school? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Ryan MacPherson: Right now I’m in grade 11, so I will be graduating from high school next year. My academic strengths are Math and Biology. I haven’t made a decision on what I want to take when I enroll at UNH, but I’m definitely interested in either Business or Kinesiology.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

Alliance Bantam Showcase, Essex, ON: Top 85, October, 2019

"A smart center, (Ryan) MacPherson moves the puck quickly to his wingers in his own zone. He is slippery in the offensive zone, bouncing off checks while maintaining possession of the puck. He has a long skating stride that needs a bit of power to add more speed to his game."

Youth Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Ryan MacPherson  (F)	2021-22	Leamington Flyers	GOJHL	45	13	37	50	6
	2020-21	Sun County Panthers U16 AAA	Alliance U16	0	0	0	0	0
	2019-20	Sun County Panthers U16 AAA	Alliance U16	7	1	1	2	0
			Playoffs	1	0	0	0	0

UNH Commit Connor MacPherson: A High-Scoring Winger

Connor MacPherson
2023 or '24 UNH Commit

Connor MacPherson Forward, 6'1", 178 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada DOB: March 2, 2005 Just Turned 17 2021 OHL Priority Selection: 10th Round (188th Overall) by Ottawa 67's Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Leamington Flyers (GOJHL) Committed to UNH in February, 2022 at Age 16 years, 11 months.

2021-22 Highlight Reel

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Connor MacPherson, 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?

Connor MacPherson: Thank you, I first became interested in UNH when Coach Glenn Stewart came down to one of our games and had dinner with us afterward. He talked to us about the school and their team and I found it really interesting.

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

Connor MacPherson: I chose to go to UNH because I felt like I really connected with the coaching staff, they are the type of people who I want to play for. Also, I really liked the school and the facilities that they have at UNH, it felt like a place where I could spend my university years. Another reason I chose to commit to UNH is the atmosphere at their games, I love the energy in the building.

Lowry: How important was it to choose the same NCAA school as your twin brother Ryan?

Connor MacPherson: It was very important to me that Ryan and I were to go to the same NCAA school. We've been playing together for over a decade and we really compliment each other on the ice. Many people thought we wouldn't be able to play together again so I'm grateful that we proved them wrong and get to play together for 4 more years.

Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Connor MacPherson: UNH was the first school that invited us out for an official visit and offered us. After the official visit, we felt like we didn't need to wait for any other schools to reach out because we really felt like UNH was the best place for us.

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?

Connor MacPherson: The coaches said they can see us coming in right away but told us if we feel like we need another year of junior to develop that it'll be alright with them. They said they want us coming in when we feel ready.

Lowry: Which junior league(s) will you consider playing in before you go to UNH?

Connor MacPherson: We'll consider all of the tier 2 junior A leagues across Ontario as well as the GOJHL which is the league we're currently playing in. We've also thought about the USHL. We just want to make sure wherever we play before we enroll at UNH we are getting developed as a player and playing against good players.

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

Connor MacPherson: Some of my main strengths consist of my hockey IQ, playmaking skills, and scoring ability. Something that I could work on is my physicality.

Lowry: So far this season, as a right winger for the Leamington Flyers in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, you’ve scored 26 goals and 29 assists in 45 games. Do you prefer playing winger?

Connor MacPherson: Yes, growing up I was one of few right-handed forwards on my youth teams so right away I was put on the wing so now I'm just so used to wing that I wouldn't want to play any other position.

Lowry: When do you plan to graduate from high school? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Connor MacPherson: I plan on graduating from high school in 2023. I would say my academic strengths are in the sciences and Phys. ed/health. I'm still not sure what I want to major in yet but right now I am thinking of either Kinesiology or Business.

Youth Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Connor MacPherson  (F)	2021-22	Leamington Flyers	GOJHL	45	26	29	55	12
	2020-21	Sun County Panthers U16 AAA	Alliance U16	0	0	0	0	0
	2019-20	Sun County Panthers U16 AAA	Alliance U16	7	2	0	2	2
			Playoffs	3	0	1	1	0

Spotlight on Conor Lovett, MacPherson Twins: UNH Commits Update 3-11-2022

Conor Lovett 2022 UNH Commit

Connor MacPherson 2024 UNH Commit

Ryan MacPherson 2024 UNH Commit

Newest UNH Commits

~ Conor Lovett (DOB: 4/7/01), the 5'11", 203 lbs., right-shot forward from Franklin, Massachusetts, is a reliable, two-way center who plays with pace. He committed to UNH on February 16th. Last season, as a true freshman at Merrimack College, Lovett scored 2 goals against Northeastern, 1 goal and assist against UNH, and 1 assist against Boston College. He entered the NCAA transfer portal last May.

Lovett ended up playing for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL this season. So far, in 43 games, he has tallied 12 goals, including 7 power play goals and 1 short-handed goal, plus 9 assists. This video highlight shows 4 of his goals in February. In each, Lovett accelerates quickly to the net and buries his chances:



~ Connor MacPherson and Ryan MacPherson (DOB: 3/2/05), twin brothers from Tecumseh, Ontario who just turned 17, committed to UNH on February 17th. Connor is a 5'11", 176 lbs., right-shot winger and Ryan is a 5'11", 180 lbs., left-shot center. They play for the Leamington Flyers in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. GOJHL teams have no more than a few 2005 birth year players and most players have '01 or '02 birth years.

Connor MacPherson has scored 21 goals, including 8 power play goals, and 24 assists. Ryan MacPherson has tallied 11 goals and 32 assists, including 9 power play assists. Both have played in 38 games. Ryan is tied for 5th in the league for most assists and Connor is tied for 8th for most goals. These video highlights show the MacPherson twins teaming up for 3 of their goals in February and March. In all 3, Ryan is the playmaker and Connor the goal scorer:

2021-22 Statistics

Player	NZ Stars**	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM	+/-
2022 Commits
Nicolas Ardanaz* 5/30/02 (D)	3.75	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	46	3	23	26	20	-
Damien Carfagna* 12/12/02 (D)	4.0	Sioux City Musketeers	USHL	4	0	1	1	0	+1
		Green Bay Gamblers	USHL	40	5	32	37	39	+8
Jake Dunlap* 12/5/01 (F)	3.75	Madison Capitols	USHL	44	17	15	32	34	+7
John Evans 4/8/02 (F)	4.0	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	40	16	26	42	6	-
Cy LeClerc* 8/17/02 (F)	3.75	Janesville Jets	NAHL	47	28	31	59	6	+28
Conor Lovett 4/7/01 (F)	3.75	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders	USHL	43	12	9	21	81	-7
Tyler Muszelik* 7/1/04 (G)	4.0	US National U18	Overall	23	14	4	2	3.08	.894
		Team USA U-18	USHL	8	3	2	2	3.79	.882
			NCAA Exh.	11	8	2	0	3.00	.896
			INTL	3	3	0	0	1.67	.942
Cade Penney* 3/23/01 (D)	3.75	Surrey Eagles	BCHL	32	1	5	6	10	-
		Madison Capitols	USHL	8	0	5	5	8	+3
Stiven Sardarian 2/7/03 (F)	4.0	Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	29	4	10	14	6	-4
Kristaps Skrastins* 11/20/01 (F)	3.75	Amarillo Wranglers	NAHL	47	30	26	56	61	+6
JP Turner* 1/31/03 (F)	3.75	Fargo Force	USHL	9	5	4	9	2	+6
		Sioux Falls Stampede	USHL	31	3	2	5	24	-7
Morgan Winters* 12/8/01 (F)	3.5	Omaha Lancers	USHL	28	7	14	21	16	-2
		Youngstown Phantoms	USHL	12	3	5	8	16	-1
2022 or '23 Commits
Jed Baliotti 2/7/02 (G)	3.5	Nanaimo Clippers	BCHL	16	7	5	0	3.85	.892
		Northeast Generals	NAHL	3	1	1	0	2.76	.910
		Aberdeen Wings	NAHL	2	2	0	0	3.00	.872
Brendan Fitzgerald* 3/6/03 (D)	4.0	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders	USHL	40	2	16	18	54	+2
2023 Commits
Nick Ring 10/26/03 (F)	3.75	New Jersey Titans	NAHL	45	7	20	27	10	+7
2023 or '24 Commits
Ryan Conmy 10/23/04 (F)	3.75	Bishop Kearney Selects 18U	18U AAA	26	23	19	42	0	-
Sam Court 1/7/04 (D)	3.75	NV River Rats U18	18U AAA	17	1	9	10	-	-
		Avon Old Farms	NE Prep	27	4	12	16	2	-
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F)	3.5	Madison Capitols	USHL	11	1	1	2	6	-1
		Chicago Fury 18U	18U AAA	33	26	19	45	38	-
			T1EHL 18U	10	7	1	8	12	-
			MES 18U	12	11	6	17	6	-
2024 Commits
Connor MacPherson 3/2/05 (F)	NR	Leamington Flyers	GOJHL	36	21	22	43	12	-
Ryan MacPherson 3/2/05 (F)	NR	Leamington Flyers	GOJHL	36	10	30	40	6	-
* = 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 "2022 Commits" are projected to begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2022. 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.
~ 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.