Friday, December 06, 2024

UNH Commits Update 12-6-2024: UNH Off to Fast Start Recruiting CHL Players

Alex Carr (D)
2025 UNH Commit
Nick DeAngelis (D)
2025 UNH Commit
Sam Oliver (F)
2025 UNH Commit

NEWS AND NOTES

New NCAA Eligibility Rule
Since 1980 the NCAA has denied eligibility to players from Canadian Major Junior hockey (i.e., the CHL which includes the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, & Quebec Major Junor Hockey League). According to NHL.com:
"CHL players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules, in part because some CHL players have signed NHL entry-level contracts."
Even CHL players who had not signed an NHL contract lost amateur status because they competed against "professional players" who had signed. CHL players also receive a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses. That's often mentioned as a reason they are "professional".

Due in part to growing pressure from U.S. antitrust law litigation the NCAA voted on November 7th to grant eligibilty to most Canadian Major Junior players beginning in the 2025-26 season. CHL players can be eligible for Division I hockey "provided they did not receive above actual and necessary expenses to compete in the CHL". CHL players who've signed NHL pro contracts continue to be ineligible (see College Hockey Inc. for details).

The Canadian Hockey League is known as an elite development track for aspiring young hockey players. The nearly 800 players (aged 16-20) in the CHL play a rigorous schedule including training camp, 68 regular season games plus playoffs. The CHL is a major source of NHL players. For example, there were 390 CHL graduates on the 2024-25 NHL opening day rosters (NHL has 736 players on active rosters).

New Recruiting Opportunities
Needless to say, the CHL provides a deep pool of talented players for NCAA Division I coaches to scout and recruit. Of the 64 D-I programs, UNH is off to one of the fastest, most successful starts. Last week CHL defensemen Alex Carr and Nicholas DeAngelis plus center Sam Oliver committed to UNH for the 2025-26 season. A look at today's version of Chris Heisenberg's database of committed recruits shows 1 CHL commit for UConn, Merrimack, Providence, Vermont, Wisconsin and Arizona State, 2 for Princeton and Bemidji State, and 5 for Bowling Green. All but one are in their 4th full season of CHL competition.

Profiles of CHL Commits to UNH
Alex Carr Defense, 6'0", 194 lbs. Shoots Right
Hometown: Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada
DOB: March 30, 2004; 20 years, 8 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 4th Round (#66 Overall) by Halifax Mooseheads
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 8 months.

Nicholas DeAngelis Defense, 6'2", 187 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: King City, Ontario, Canada
DOB: May 22, 2004; 20 years, 6 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Surrey Wolves (Ontario Hockey League)
2020 OHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#36 Overall) by Windsor Spitfires
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 6 months.

Sam Oliver Center, 5'11", 183 lbs. Shoots Left
Hometown: Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada
DOB: July 4, 2004; 20 years, 4 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
2020 QMJHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#27 Overall) by Charlottetown Islanders
Committed to UNH on November 25, 2024 at Age 20 years, 4 months.

UNH Commits Transfer to Different Leagues
Not only have 3 CHL players committed to UNH, 2 existing UNH commits have transferred to a CHL team in recent days. Forward Jesse Alicia transferred from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) to the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) last Thursday. Goalie Ryan Grout transferred from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) to the Tri-City Americans (WHL) yesterday. In addition George McCaffrey transferred from the Long Island Gulls 18U (BEAST 18U) to the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) last week.

2024-25 Statistics

Player NZ Stars** Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
2025 Commits
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F) 3.75 Langley Rivermen BCHL 9 2 1 3 2 -
Coquitlam Express BCHL 14 1 2 3 6 -
Alex Carr 5/22/04 (D) 3.75 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies QMJHL 24 3 15 18 14 +12
Reid Conn* 2/2/04 (D) 3.75 Chicago Steel USHL 20 3 2 5 48 +3
Nicholas DeAngelis 5/22/04 (D) 3.75 Sudbury Wolves OHL 25 5 11 16 24 -3
Conner de Haro* 10/17/05 (D) 3.75 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 17 4 6 10 4 +4
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F) 3.75 Nanaimo Clipper BCHL 23 5 9 14 8 -
Sam Oliver 7/4/04 (F) 3.75 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 28 23 11 34 32 +7
Ryan Philbrick* 6/20/04 (D) 3.75 Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 6 2 3 5 0 -
Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau* 9/14/05 (G) 3.75 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 12 4 7 1 3.85 .868
2025 or '26 Commits
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D) 3.5 Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 22 1 1 2 28 -
Kole Hyles 1/16/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 19 2 5 7 4 -1
Luca Primerano* 3/17/05 (F) 3.5 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 24 9 12 21 11 -
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 15 0 1 1 10 -6
2026 Commits
Jesse Allecia 10/12/05 (F) 3.5 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 2 0 0 0 0 0
Alberni Valley Bulldogs BCHL 20 4 6 10 4 -
Yale Junior Bulldogs 18U USA 18U Nationals 6 1 1 2 2 -
Geno Carcone 11/14/06 (F) 3.75 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 22 2 14 16 29 -11
Ryan Grout 8/15/07 (G) 4.0 Tri-City Americans WHL 0 0 0 0 - -
Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 13 8 4 0 2.37 .912
Nikita Konevych 6/3/06 (D) NR Corpus Christi IceRays NAHL 10 0 1 1 33 +1
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 2 0 0 0 2 +1
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F) 4.0 Danbury Hat Tricks NAHL 20 13 9 22 22 +5
2026 or '27 Commits
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F) 3.5 Bismarck Bobcats NAHL 2 0 1 1 0 -2
Long Island Gulls 18U Beast 18U 8 1 3 4 2 -
MidFairfield Rangers 16U USA 16U Nationals 4 1 1 2 2 -
New England District USA Selects 17 6 1 5 6 2 -
Jayden Connors 2/26/07 (D) 3.75 Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL 20 0 4 4 8 -
Pavel Martinu 12/20/07 (F) 3.0 Seacoast Performance Academy 18U 18U AAA 22 9 14 23 20 -
2027 Commits
Blake Cash 5/9/08 (F) 3.25 Seacoast Performance Academy 16U 16U AAA 31 20 34 54 0 -
Seacoast Spartans USA 15 Only Nationals 4 0 1 1 1.5 -
* = Signed NCAA Athletic Aid Agreement
** = 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, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based 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 NCAA Athletic Aid Agreement 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 and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Friday, November 22, 2024

2025 UNH Commit Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau: A Tall, Composed Goalie

Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau (G)
2025 UNH Commit
"The 2005 born Quebec native has a composed stance and strong set of fundamentals." Neutral Zone Report, November, 2024
Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau Goalie, 6'2.5", 195 lbs. Catches Left
Hometown: St-Jérôme, Quebec, Canada
DOB: September 14, 2005; 19 years, 2 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
2024 USHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#18 Overall) by Des Moines Buccaneers
Committed to UNH on May 31, 2024 at Age 18 years, 8 months.

October 2024 Highlight Reel

On October 25, 2024, Seguin-Lescarbeau earned his first USHL shootout win for the Des Moines Buccaneers. In the 4-3 victory over the Waterloo Black Hawks, he made 34 saves during regulation, 3 more in OT, and stopped both shootout attempts. This highlight reel shows several of his stronger saves.



Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau, 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?

Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau: First of all, thank you very much! UNH and I had a few conversations before my commitment, and it already felt like it was a great place to continue my career. When I visited the college and met the coaches, I realized that I was very interested in playing there in the future.

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

Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau: I chose to commit to UNH for a few reasons. First, like I said in my previous answer, when I visited the college and met the coaches, I instantly fell in love with the place. Everyone was patient and made me feel like they really wanted me to play for them.

Also, the fact that the Wildcats are playing in a very competitive division, which is Hockey East, was one of the reasons too. Another reason is that the University of New Hampshire is around five and a half hours from my hometown, so this part was like a bonus. It is fun to know that it’s going to be easier for family to come see my games!

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?

Seguin-Lescarbeau: Yes we have! I actually just signed my Financial Aid Agreement recently, and we have agreed on coming in as a Freshman for the 2025-2026 season. It is very exciting to know that my college hockey career will start pretty soon, and I can’t wait for it!

Lowry: Last season with the Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) was your first in junior hockey. Your regular season statistics were 26-7-1, 1.99 GAA, .925 SV% and you were the NAHL Goalie of the Month in February. Your playoff stats were 4-3-1, 2.11 GAA, .919 SV%. What are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Seguin-Lescarbeau: I think one of my biggest strength is that I am a competitive goaltender. What I mean by this is that even if I am out of position, I will still try to put something in the way to try to make the save. I am also good at getting a little backwards momentum as the play comes down to help me push laterally if I need to.

One thing that goes with my strengths and with the areas of my game that I’m trying to improve is reading the play. This part of the game is something that I’ve worked a lot since last year and that I’ve got way better, but it’s also something that always needs to be better to continue to progress as a goaltender. My footwork would also fit in that category. I’ve worked on that a lot, but I also want it to be better as I move on in my career.

Lowry: As a youngster growing up in Quebec, when and why did you decide to become a goaltender? Are there NHL goalies you try to emulate?

Seguin-Lescarbeau: I remember being very young watching Carey Price with the Montreal Canadiens. He has been an example for me and an idol. Watching him made me fall in love with the goaltenders and it made me want to start hockey as a goalie right away. I started minor hockey at 8 years old which is a little bit later for a Canadian, but I loved the game so much that I made big steps quickly.

Marc-Andre Fleury also has been an example for me. Being from Quebec also, it was nice to see a very good and competitive goaltender from the same province as me, playing in the National Hockey League.

Lowry: This season you've moved up from the NAHL to the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League. How would you describe your transition during the early part of the season? Are there adjustments you're working on to adapt to the challenges of the USHL?

Seguin-Lescarbeau: I would say the game in the USHL is faster and more skilled. For a goalie, you cannot guess at all, you have to be very patient, and you can’t make the first move because the guys are very skilled and when they have time and space, they’re able to make that extra play that you wouldn’t expect. I’ve worked a lot on my patience, my footwork, and my ability of reading the play. I’ve progressed a lot so far and I think it is a very good place to prepare me for college hockey.

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

Seguin-Lescarbeau: I love school and learning, so I would say this helps a lot to success in school. I don’t think I have a precise strength in school, but I’m interested in learning business. It is a big part of life in my family, so the fact that business was part of my life since I was young made me love it and made me want to study it. I haven’t really made a choice about what I’ll major at UNH yet, but it is going to be related with business.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

USHL Game Report, October 11, 2024
"The 2005 born Quebec native has a composed stance and strong set of fundamentals. Once moving his tendency of reaching to try to beat plays reduces his power and creates holes on the ice and through his body. When he stays condensed and composed the game comes easy. He controls rebounds well with an active stick and can use his 6’3′ frame to trap pucks. He takes scans of the ice very frequently to identify threats and maintains his feet and mobility as much as possible. Gaining depth when necessary but tending to deepen in his crease and retreat towards the goal line losing his size and not setting his feet. A tough start to the season but a solid foundation to his game, we will see how Seguin-Lescarbeau progresses through the season."

Youth & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player Season Team League GP Win Loss Tie GAA SV% SO
Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau (G) 2024-25 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 9 2 6 1 4.03 .859 0
2023-24 Shreveport Mudbugs NAHL 38 26 7 1 1.99 .925 4
Playoffs 8 4 3 1 2.11 .919 1
2022-23 Collège Lionel-Groulx Nordiques Quebec College HL 22 12 8 0 2.68 .914 1
Playoffs 3 1 2 0 3.67 .884 0
2021-22 Saint-Eustache Vikings QM 18AAA 21 12 7 0 2.41 .901 4
Playoffs 3 0 3 0 2.64 .904 0

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

UNH Commits Update 11-13-2024: Spotlight on Goalie Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau

Eliot Seguin-Leacarbeau (G)
2025 UNH Commit

Player Spotlight
Eliot Seguin-Leacarbeau Goalie, 6'2.5", 195 lbs. Catches Left
Hometown: St-Jérôme, Quebec, Canada
DOB: September 14, 2005; 19 years, 2 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
2024 USHL Draft: Selected in 2nd Round (#18 Overall) by Des Moines Buccaneers
Committed to UNH on May 31, 2024 at Age 18 years, 8 months.



Neutral Zone Scouting Report
USHL Game Report, November 9, 2024
"The 2005 born Quebec native has a composed stance and strong set of fundamentals. Once moving his tendency of reaching to try to beat plays reduces his power and creates holes on the ice and through his body. When he stays condensed and composed the game come easy. He controls rebounds well with an active stick and can use his 6’3′ frame to trap pucks. He takes scans of the ice very frequently to identify threats and maintains his feet and mobility as much as possible. Gaining depth when necessary but tending to deepen in his crease and retreat towards the goal line losing his size and not setting his feet. A tough start to the season* but a solid foundation to his game, we will see how Seguin-Lescarbeau progresses through the season."
*NOTE: Last season Seguin-Leacarbeau played in 38 (26-7-1) of the 60 regular season games for the Shreveport Mudbugs in the North American Hockey League. Shreveport finished with the 5th most points in the 35-team league. Seguin-Leacarbeau's 1.99 Goals Against Average was the 4th lowest among all NAHL goalies.
During the off season Seguin-Leacarbeau signed with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League. The 16-team USHL is the top junior league in America. Both the Bucs and Seguin-Leacarbeau have had a rough start to the 2024-25 season. After 14 games Des Moines has the second fewest points in the USHL. So far Seguin-Leacarbeau has played in 8 games (2-6-0) and his 4.08 GAA is the second highest in the USHL.

Youth & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player Season Team League GP Win Loss Tie GAA SV% SO
Eliot Seguin-Leacarbeau (G) 2024-25 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 8 2 6 0 4.08 .855 0
2023-24 Shreveport Mudbugs NAHL 38 26 7 1 1.99 .925 4
Playoffs 8 4 3 1 2.11 .919 1
2022-23 Collège Lionel-Groulx Nordiques Quebec College HL 22 12 8 0 2.68 .914 1
Playoffs 3 1 2 0 3.67 .884 0
2021-22 Saint-Eustache Vikings QM 18AAA 21 12 7 0 2.41 .901 4
Playoffs 3 0 3 0 2.64 .904 0

UNH Commits 2024-25 Statistics

Player NZ Stars** Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
2025 Commits
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F) 3.75 Langley Rivermen BCHL 3 0 1 1 2 -
Coquitlam Express BCHL 14 1 2 3 6 -
Reid Conn* 2/2/04 (D) 3.75 Chicago Steel USHL 16 3 1 4 29 +4
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F) 3.75 Nanaimo Clipper BCHL 16 4 5 9 6 -
Conner de Haro* 10/17/05 (D) 3.75 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 14 2 5 7 2 +4
Ryan Philbrick* 6/20/04 (D) 3.75 Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 6 2 3 5 0 -
Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau 9/14/05 (G) 3.75 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 8 2 6 0 4.08 .855
2025 or '26 Commits
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D) 3.5 Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 17 1 0 0 20 -
Kole Hyles* 1/16/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 13 2 3 5 2 -4
Luca Primerano* 3/17/05 (F) 3.5 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 17 8 11 19 9 -
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 10 0 1 1 6 -3
2026 Commits
Jesse Allecia 10/12/05 (F) 3.5 Alberni Valley Bulldogs BCHL 17 4 5 9 4 -
Yale Junior Bulldogs 18U USA 18U Nationals 6 1 1 2 2 -
Geno Carcone 11/14/06 (F) 3.75 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 14 1 7 8 23 -4
Ryan Grout 8/15/07 (G) 4.0 Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 10 6 3 0 2.19 .919
Nikita Konevych 6/3/06 (D) NR Corpus Christi IceRays NAHL 5 0 0 0 29 -2
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 2 0 0 0 2 +1
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F) 4.0 Danbury Hat Tricks NAHL 17 11 9 20 20 +4
2026 or '27 Commits
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F) 3.5 Long Island Gulls 18U Beast 18U 8 1 3 4 2 -
MidFairfield Rangers 16U USA 16U Nationals 4 1 1 2 2 -
New England District USA Selects 17 6 1 5 6 2 -
Jayden Connors 2/26/07 (D) 3.75 Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL 16 0 4 4 4 -
Pavel Martinu 12/20/07 (F) 3.0 Seacoast Performance Academy 18U 18U AAA 22 9 14 23 20 -
2027 Commits
Blake Cash 5/9/08 (F) 3.25 Seacoast Performance Academy 16U 16U AAA 26 19 30 49 0 -
Seacoast Spartans USA 15 Only Nationals 4 0 1 1 1.5 -
* = Signed Binding Written Offer
** = 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, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based 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 and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

UNH Commits Update 10-29-2024: Recent Scouting Reports

Ryan Philbrick (D)
2025 UNH Commit
Ryan Grout (G)
2026 UNH Commit
Niko Tournas (F)
2026 UNH Commit

Recent Neutral Zone Evals of UNH Commits

Since the start of the 2024-25 season Neutral Zone scouts have been in junior hockey arenas throughout North America evaluating players. At the North American Hockey League Showcase in late September they assessed 503 players. In early October they scouted 6 British Columbia Hockey League games and reported on 63 players. The performance of 3 UNH commits were included in these player evaluations.

RYAN PHILBRICK (D) - Neutral Zone 3.75 Star Rating
"(D, L, 6’0″, 180, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 06/20/2004, New Hampshire) – Philbrick was very good in this game. He is a very mobile defender who does a lot of things well. His mobility was on display at both ends, as he excels in one-on-one situations down low, while also showing a willingness to lead or jump into the offense."
RYAN GROUT (G) - Neutral Zone 4.0 Star Rating
"(G, L, 5’11”, 166, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 08/15/2007, New Hampshire) – Grout had a shutout and was solid in this game, making several very good stops when called upon, although he did not face many shots. His numbers so far are impressive. He remains calm when there is traffic in front of him and tracks pucks well during scrambles, maintaining control in these situations. Overall, he looked very comfortable and confident. Although he is not very big, he is listed at 5’11”."
NIKO TOURNAS (F) - Neutral Zone 4.0 Star Rating
"(RW, R, 6’2″, 188, Danbury Hat Tricks, 02/17/2006, New Hampshire) – Niko played with a strong frame and exhibited quality puck control, allowing him to separate from defenders. He showcased sophisticated puck shielding while moving under pressure around his net. The 2006 easily alleviated pressure, calmly creating plays along the wall to get pucks to the interior of the zone."
"His reach and strength combined with clever hands and smart decision-making with possession were impressive. He slipped passes through legs and opponent triangles at top speed, as well as while standing on the power play. He displayed a precise stick blade and used indirect and saucer passes effectively. He backchecked hard, stopping a line rush with a big hit before returning to his end. Soon after, against Corpus Christi, he played point on the power play, where he snapped passes and hammered home one-timers."
"The UNH commit has slick hands in space and employed simple “X” crosses with his linemates to confuse opponents. Tournas was tough along the wall while also demonstrating a highly creative element. He picked up an assist in two games but consistently directed pucks on net. While he is not the fastest player and missed a few passes, he showed a powerful stride that allowed him to power past contact and protect the puck. However, he needs to be more persistent when he loses possession, as he was not determined enough in those moments. With a high ceiling and the tools to make an impact at the DI level, he has great potential."

2024-25 Statistics

Player NZ Stars** Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM +/-
2025 Commits
Sebastian Bradshaw 5/26/05 (F) 3.75 Coquitlam Express BCHL 13 1 2 3 6 -
Reid Conn* 2/2/04 (D) 3.75 Chicago Steel USHL 13 2 0 2 23 -1
Connor DeTurris 10/8/04 (F) 3.75 Nanaimo Clipper BCHL 12 4 4 8 6 -
Conner de Haro* 10/17/05 (D) 3.75 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 10 2 4 6 2 +4
Ryan Philbrick* 6/20/04 (D) 3.75 Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 6 2 3 5 0 -
Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau 9/14/05 (G) 3.75 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 7 2 5 0 3.89 .855
2025 or '26 Commits
Price Grimes* 1/28/06 (D) 3.5 Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 12 1 0 0 18 -
Luca Primerano* 3/17/05 (F) 3.5 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 13 5 8 13 7 -
Jack Sadowski* 7/29/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 8 0 1 1 4 -2
2026 Commits
Jesse Allecia 10/12/05 (F) 3.5 Alberni Valley Bulldogs BCHL 13 2 4 6 4 -
Yale Junior Bulldogs 18U USA 18U Nationals 6 1 1 2 2 -
Geno Carcone 11/14/06 (F) 3.75 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 10 1 4 5 4 -3
Ryan Grout 8/15/07 (G) 4.0 Salmon Arms Silverbacks BCHL 8 5 2 0 1.86 .932
Kole Hyles 1/16/06 (F) 3.75 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 10 0 2 2 2 -4
Nikita Konevych 6/3/06 (D) NR Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 2 0 0 0 0 +1
Niko Tournas 2/17/06 (F) 4.0 Danbury Hat Tricks NAHL 13 9 5 14 14 +3
2026 or '27 Commits
George McCaffrey 1/2/07 (F) 3.5 Long Island Gulls 18U Beast 18U 8 1 3 4 2 -
MidFairfield Rangers 16U USA 16U Nationals 4 1 1 2 2 -
New England District USA Selects 17 6 1 5 6 2 -
Jayden Connors 2/26/07 (D) 3.75 Prince George Spruce Kings BCHL 12 0 2 2 2 -
Pavel Martinu 12/20/07 (F) 3.0 Seacoast Performance Academy 18U 18U AAA 20 9 13 22 8 -
2027 Commits
Blake Cash 5/9/08 (F) 3.25 Seacoast Performance Academy 16U 16U AAA 20 13 21 34 0 -
Seacoast Spartans USA 15 Only Nationals 4 0 1 1 1.5 -
* = 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, I project the "2025 Commits" will begin playing for UNH in the Fall of 2025. My projections projections are based 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 and remaining years of junior eligibility.
~ The commit's performance in recent seasons as well as injuries.
~ Anticipated date of high school graduation.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Ryan Grout - UNH Hockey Goalie of the Future

Ryan Grout (G)
2025 or '26 UNH Commit
" Ryan is a technical goaltender that makes a ton of positional saves where he is in the right spots to make it look simple." Neutral Zone, May, 2022
Ryan Grout Goalie, 5'11", 166 lbs. Catches Left
Hometown: St. Albert, Alberta
DOB: August 15, 2007; 17 years, 2 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Stars
2024-25 Team: Salmon Arm Silverbacks (British Columbia Hockey League)
2024 USHL Draft: Selected in 16th Round (#239 Overall) by Green Bay Gamblers
Committed to UNH on January 25, 2024 at Age 16 years, 5 months.

2023 & 2024 Highlight Reel

The first two highlights show key saves by Ryan Grout in a Salmon Arm Silverbacks' over time win against the Trail Smoke Eaters on December 1, 2023. It was Grout's 8th game in his rookie season in the British Columbia Hockey League.

The remaining highlights are from Grout's first shutout in the 2024-25 season; a 4-0 win over the Vernon Vipers on October 4, 2024. The Neutral Zone game report shown at the end of this article described his overall play during that game.

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Ryan Grout, 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 Grout: I became very interested in UNH after I first talked to Glenn Stewart early last season in Salmon Arm. Being from Western Canada, I never really got exposure to teams out east. But after talking with Glenn, I learned a lot more about UNH.

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

Ryan Grout: One of the main reasons I decided to pick UNH was the amazing coaching staff and the culture. I started talking with the goalie coach Sean Maguire and really connected with him. I love his approach to the position and believe I can learn a lot from him.

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?

Grout: UNH was the only school I visited and was the main one I talked to during my process. After visiting, meeting all the coaches in person and seeing the culture they are building, I knew UNH is where I wanted to be.

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?

Grout: As of right now, there is no set date. My job is just just focus on this year with Salmon Arm and perform to the best of my ability, then go from there.

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

Grout: A lot of people think that goalies must be over 6”3 to be good. I’m not there yet height wise, so I have to make up for it in my other areas of the game, in my skating, play reading, and a high compete level. My job is to just stop the puck, no matter what the height sheet says.

For my areas to improve, I believe all areas of the game are things you should always be getting better at. Also little things that make big differences, like puck handling, communication to my defence, and many more.

Lowry: In your first season of junior hockey last year you posted a 11-3-0 record with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Among all BCHL goalies who played at least 15 games, you had the 6th best GAA (2.23) and 6th highest Save% (.926). The average age of BCHL players is over 18 years old and some are as old as 21. As a 16-year-old goalie, what were some of the challenges of facing so much older and more mature players?

Grout: The main challenges were the difference in speed and size. When you get to playing guys that are 3-4 years older than you, you really get a sense of the next level. I found it a very enjoyable experience and loved being pushed every day.

Lowry: Are there junior hockey leagues in America you would consider playing in before you enroll in college?

Grout: Currently, I am just focusing on this season and my time in Salmon Arm. The present is my main focus right now and I am just excited to get things going in Salmon Arm.

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?

Grout: I’m graduating this year. My main academic strength is my attention to detail in my work. I enjoy language arts, and last year I took a high school business course that I really enjoyed. At UNH, I have taken a great interest in their business school and am thinking of enrolling into that.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

BCHL Games Report, October 17, 2024
"Grout had a shutout and was solid in this game, making several very good stops when called upon, although he did not face many shots. His numbers so far are impressive. He remains calm when there is traffic in front of him and tracks pucks well during scrambles, maintaining control in these situations. Overall, he looked very comfortable and confident. Although he is not very big, he is listed at 5’11”."
Alberta Cup, May 14, 2022
"Grout had a dominant weekend for Alberta Gray as he led the tournament in GAA at 1.63 only allowing 5 goals on 91 shots, posting 2 shutouts in his 3 games played, also carrying a .945 SV%. He did have a tough night in his last game against black letting up 5 goals on 31 shots but was in total control early on in the tournament."
"Ryan is a technical goaltender that makes a ton of positional saves where he is in the right spots to make it look simple. Grout moves swiftly around his crease with solid pushes, getting to his post before attacking angles. He likes to play at the top of his crease and challenge shooters, taking away anywhere to shoot and swallows up pucks. Grout competes in his own crease and gets eyes on pucks through traffic, tracking them into his body. Pucks do not slip through Ryan as he stays composed within himself."

Youth & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player Season Team League GP Win Loss Tie GAA SV% SO
Ryan Grout (G) 2024-25 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 6 4 1 1 1.65 .938 2
2023-24 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 15 11 3 1 2.23 .926 1
2022-23 Northern Alberta Xtreme U17 Prep CSSHL U17 11 10 1 0 1.81 .921 1
Playoffs 2 2 0 0 2.00 .892 1
Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep CSSHL U18 1 1 0 0 1.00 .969 0
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