2016 CIS Offseason/Recruiting Thread

[leafhky88]

Their goaltending will get better this year. They have a least one goalie lined up who will make a big difference, pending announcement.

Interesting.

Your twitter account also led me to check Lakehead's main page. Firstly, they appear to have already posted their 2016-2017 roster (most teams I believe have an official tryout - more of a formality than anything), but secondly, the only freshman (Lakehead does not list by 1st year, 2nd year etc) is Patrick Murphy. Is Lakehead going into the season with 1 recruit only?

Edit: I forgot about Dillon Donnelly transferring - Lakehead has 6 players gone from last year's roster (3 graduating/eligibility, and 3 non-seniors leaving) but only 2 coming in. Their roster still has 22 players, but I would have thought movement in would have approximated movement out.

 

[Hollywood3]

Interesting.

Your twitter account also led me to check Lakehead's main page. Firstly, they appear to have already posted their 2016-2017 roster (most teams I believe have an official tryout - more of a formality than anything), but secondly, the only freshman (Lakehead does not list by 1st year, 2nd year etc) is Patrick Murphy. Is Lakehead going into the season with 1 recruit only?

Edit: I forgot about Dillon Donnelly transferring - Lakehead has 6 players gone from last year's roster (3 graduating/eligibility, and 3 non-seniors leaving) but only 2 coming in. Their roster still has 22 players, but I would have thought movement in would have approximated movement out.

Teams often add names as they officially enrol. I remember one season where the Manitoba Bison roster started at about 10 names and grew throughout August.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

According to Victor Findlay UPEI has recruited former Remparts captain Kurt Etchagary. I really like what they have done so far this summer....I don't know who they are losing outside of their 5th years but it seems they should be improved this season.

 

[Chevy Cheveldae]

Goalie Mac Engel heads to Portage College

 

[Chevy Cheveldae]

Riley Roberts from WSHL Colorado Jr. Eagles to Calgary Dinos

 

[FreddyFoyle]

UNB officially announces signing of D Matt Murphy and forwards Oliver Cooper and Mark Simpson. All three are Fredericton natives and all three came up through the V-Reds Prospects hockey program.

http://vreds.ca/sports/mice/2016-17/releases/2016_Recruiting_Class

Today is the first day of the UNB hockey camps, so my hunch that the announcement would come today pans out.

 

[Drummer]

Today is the first day of the UNB hockey camps, so my hunch that the announcement would come today pans out.

Also, the CIS Letter of Intent website was updated to include Murphy, so the cat was out of the bag on that one and it makes sense to announce the rest at the same time.

All great players and to say they are all local NB'ers is a bonus. I recall the UdeM fans giving it to Coolen at the JLL in '99 with 'not bad for Team Ontario' chants

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Also, the CIS Letter of Intent website was updated to include Murphy, so the cat was out of the bag on that one and it makes sense to announce the rest at the same time.

All great players and to say they are all local NB'ers is a bonus. I recall the UdeM fans giving it to Coolen at the JLL in '99 with 'not bad for Team Ontario' chants

Shows you the impact of the QMJHL on New Brunswick players. For years the best prospects went to prep schools in the US or the OHL. Now they stay home and play in the Q. Plus, one has to give the V-Reds Prospects program of spring hockey credit for, if not helping their development, at least indoctrinating young players about UNB hockey.

 

[Drummer]

Agree - the Q's expansion into the Maritimes has provided local kids access to a higher caliber of game without having to go West.

Add that to the VReds Prospects program and the team has created it's own pipeline. It's a long term plan, taking 8-10 year-olds and plant a seed and wait 10-12 years, but it certainly has paid off.

 

[Rob]

Both Acadia and STFX have added some big D-men for this season.
Marc McNulty for the Axemen and Mitch Wheaton for X. Both were drafted as well.

 

[leafhky88]

One addition to Laurier

In addition to the 10 recruits released by Laurier, a new press release (http://www.laurierathletics.com/createarticle.php?ID=8490) indicates they have added forward Brandon Robinson from the Kitchener Rangers.

F - Brandon Robinson (Kitchener, OHL)

CTV news in Kitchener also reported returning 4th year left winger Kyle Morrison is the Captain for the Hawks for 2016-2017.

 

[mikeandI]

http://www.godinos.com/news/2016/8/16/twelve-join-dinos-mens-hockey-for-2016-17.aspx

Was waiting for Holly to jump all over this ....but u of c adds 12 new guys, leth horns add like 8.....bison add 3 WHL guys, ubc has a hand full coUple go to X and Axemen, not many left. Volrath a big add, Bears need a goalie announcement big time.....and a need a few rabbits pulled out of their........hats.....maybe when they play the oilers young guns the oil will let them keep a big Herbers hand full.

 

[Bearpaw]

On the Bob Stauffer show today, Head Coach Serge Lajoie and GM Stan Marple were discussing the upcoming season and provide some insight into some of their recruits. I may not have them all, but here are the names that I can remember:

Jason Fram: Defenseman from Spokane Chief who put up 46 points in 55 games last season

Ryan Rehill: Big, rugged defenseman from Kamloops

Grahame Craig: Defenseman who placed with Bakersfield in the ECHL and some games with Oklahoma City in the AHL.

Kenny Cameron: Goaltender transferring from NAIT - the ACAC champion goaltender who went undefeated last season. He was a recruit at NAIT of the current U of A coach

Tyson Baillie: The rabbit out of the hat in my opinion (to steal a phrase). The Kelowna forward had 95 points in 70 games last year and will be leaned on to replace some of that lost offence

Todd Fiddler: Played the last two years in the ECHL but prior to that had 88 points in 52 games with Prince George.

Cole Linaker: Kelowna product who was previously announced. Had 50 points last year in 70 games

Taylor Cooper: Edmonton area product who finished the season in Chicoutimi last year and had 21 points in 26 games. He has been injured the last couple of years but should be at full strength coming into the season

Ben Carroll: Defenseman from the Oil Kings whose offensive game improved in the last half of the year

While it is tough to replace the 7 5th years that were lost, this is a very dynamic recruiting class that has a big of everything. It will be interesting to see how many of these rookies crack the roster but with so many openings, they all have a good shot at a lot of playing time this year. It also looks like they continue to bring in solid character players into the program.

 

[Bearpaw]

As reported by Victor Findley, Luke Philip will be reporting to the Golden Bears after the San Jose rookie camp. He is another recruit with great offensive ability.

If the players going to NHL camps come back (Baille, Fram, Rehill), along with the other recruits mentioned, this is going to be a very good incoming class.

 

[Bob Stauffer]

Alberta

Alberta

Just to clarify.
The challenge for a school like Alberta has when it comes to confirming recruits is that the program targets the best players that aren't going pro.
With rookie camps/tournaments taking place in the middle of September this means there is still an opportunity for players to impress NHL teams and earn at minimum an AHL contract.
Last year Jayden Hart went to NY Rangers rookie camp, then got invited to main camp and didn't get released until September 24th. There were opportunities for Hart to work his way up from the ECHL, but he elected at that point to go to school.

So to the 2016-17 Golden Bears recruits based on Stan Marple and Serge Lajoie's appearance on "Oilers Now" on Friday.

Goal:
Luke Siemens returns but he will know be pushed.
Kenny Cameron who had an undefeated season last year at NAIT (ACAC) has committed.
Don't be surprised if another goaltender with WHL pedigree gets brought in as well.

Defence:
Bears will miss Jordan Rowley and Thomas Carr who won 2 CIS Titles each and then went on to win the Kelly Cup (ECHL) last spring in Allen.
Lots of opportunities here and Alberta could be bringing in as many as four D.

Jason Fram was an elite PP QB in the WHL for Spokane. He had 62 points in 70 games as a 19-year-old. He went to Edmonton Oilers orientation camp in July and will attend San Jose Rookie Camp. if he plays CIS he will be a 1st pairing right shot D at that level.

Graeme Craig red-shirted with the Bears last year after spending a year in the ECHL. At 6'5", 210 pound Craig will translate to a top 4 shutdown D in the CIS.

Ryan Rehill was drafted by New Jersey and had a strong 20-year old season playing his fourth and final year in Kamloops, registering 10-29-39 in 64 games. At 6'3", 220 pounds Rehill will be in the mix for a shot in the Bears top 4.

Ben Carroll spent the last three seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings, winning a Memorial Cup in 2014. He played in the Oil Kings top 4 the last two seasons, and compete for a spot in the Bears top six.

Forwards:
Alberta will have a completely revamped look up front this season after losing 4 of their top 5 scorers and five forwards over-all to graduation.

Marple commented on the following forwards:

Tyson Baillie-skilled offensive right shot center who had a stellar 20-year-old season in Kelowna registering 43-52-95. Baillie prorates to a 1st line C at the CIS level.

Cole Linaker-strong two-way, big (6'2", 195lb) center who had 50 points last season with Baillie in Kelowna. Baillie attended Oilers Rookie Camp in 2015 after winning a WHL Championship with Kelowna. Linaker will play in the Bears top 9 up front.

Todd Fiddler-will not be eligible to play until November after spending parts of two seasons in the ECHL. In the WHL he was a sniper scoring 92 goals in his final two seasons. Fiddler will be in the mix as a top six forward.

Taylor Cooper- a 6'1'" 195 wing who had an injury-plagued Junior career but put up 60 points as a 19-year old in the WHL. It will be interesting to see where he slots.

It has previously been mentioned on this site that Luke Philp will be coming to Alberta. He would be another big-time recruit for the Bears. Last three seasons he had better than a point per game in the WHL. Another skilled center, he like Baillie would be a lock to play in the Bears top six.

Cheers.

Bob Stauffer
Oilers Radio Color Analyst and Host of "Oilers Now"
Golden Bears PxP 89-92, 98-08, Alberta SID 2000-08

 

[Ched]

Manitoba

With Bob Stauffer's excellent summary of the Golden Bears recruiting season and Hollywood apparently on holidays I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the off-season of the University of Manitoba. The Bisons have a young, hard-working and academically successful team (11 Academic All-Canadians) that finished .500 last year and hosted a first round playoff series against the veteran-laden Calgary Dinos team which they lost in 3 games. All this despite having zero 5th year players and only 3 - 4th year players last year.

Goaltending

Top 2015 recruit Justin Paulic is back along with veteran Byron Spriggs and hard-working third-stringer Dasan Sydora. The goaltending will only be better this year with more experience and better shooters in practice.

Defence

The Bisons lose Co-Capatin Luke Paulsen to graduation. Luke played all of last season with a bothersome and limiting injury and so was not as effective as he has been in the past but his leadership will be missed. Returning dmen include the slick super rookie Adam Henry and Channing Bresciani along with 5th year assistant captain Lee Christensen and former Wheat King Rene Hunter. The defence is sound and will be bolstered by two recruits.

New recruits include the smooth-skating and adept puck mover left handed Garrett Johnston who spent the last three seasons in the QMJHL. He had a 7-26-33 season last year and projects to be a top 4 dman who will get a chance on the PP.

Rumour has it that Portland Winterhawks Assistant Captain, Blake Heinrich, from Minnesota, has committed to the Bisons but is first going to the Minnesota Wild main camp. Blake was a 5th round Washington draft pick and had a 10-21-31 season with 118 PIM. He was paired with current Bison Adam Henry in 2014-15 in Portland and is a hard-working, physical defenceman. If he does not get a pro deal he will immediately be a top 4 defenceman in the CIS.

Forwards

Here is where it gets really interesting. The Bisons needed more scoring depth after Canada West scoring leader and now 4th year right winger Jordan DePape, 6th overall scoring leader Shaq Merasty and 1st team rookie all-star Brett Stovin. While not one of the Bison forwards has used up their eligibility there may be a few changes with a very robust forward recruitment class that includes a lot of high end offence as well as some grit.

Nick Zajac - the Captain of the 2015-16 Saskatoon Blades brings a relentless work ethic, heart, leadership, grit (91 PIM) and some offensive skill with a 20-32-52 season in his 20 year old year on a terrible team. He will also be adept in the classroom having graduated from the academically challenging and prestigious St. John's Ravenscourt. The left-winger has been a line-mate with Brett Stovin in the past and there is little doubt that Coach Sirant will give them the opportunity to revisit that chemistry and play together again in the top 6.

Remi Laurencelle - Remi was an assistant captain with the Everett Silvertips and had back to back 20+ goal WHL seasons including a 28-30-58 season last year. Remi brings speed and skill to the centre position and will get lots of chance to play in the top 6 right away.

Brad Bowles - Brad was arguably among the top Junior A players in Canada the past two years Rumour has it he was recruited by about 30 NCAA programs but wanted to play with his brother and stay close to home. Brad has done just about everything a junior player can do including captaining an RBC Cup championship team and winning numerous MVP awards. He brings his gritty, two-way, skill game and 45-57-102 season to the Bisons where he will certainly play with his twin brother Shawn. Both young men are 6'2", 190.

Shawn Bowles - Shawn had almost identical PPG stats as Brad and plays an even grittier game than his brother. These two guys will make some lucky right-winger very productive as they seemingly have eyes in the backs of their heads and are the ultimate team players.

Hudson Friesen - Hudson is a versatile big body forward (6'2" 200) who can play all three forward positions and defence as well. Hudson red-shirted last year after playing two years in the NCAA with the U of Alaska-Anchorage. He will bring skill, strength, experience and versatility to the Bison lineup. I can't imagine him not playing in the top 9.

Quintin Lisoway - Quintin is a tenacious and versatile forward who was an assistant captain with the Brandon Wheat Kings in his 19 year old season. He started his 20 year old year in the QMJHL and finished off with the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons scoring 18-15-33 in 27 games. He will be counted on to kill penalties, work hard and chip in with some offence here and there. He can also play defence in a pinch, as he did with the Wheat Kings in 2014-15.

Kamerin Nault - Kamerin is a highly regarded Junior A player who plays a positionally smart game and who continues to improve his game each season. in 54 games last year with the MJHL's Winnipeg Blues he was 37-39-76. He will likely find it difficult to get in the lineup this year with all the depth but projects to be an important and effective forward who can be trusted in any situation.

In addition to the aforementioned top 3 returning forwards and these 7 recruits a large group of returning forwards that includes 5th year veteran grinder and PK specialist Jesse Paradis and the rugged difficult-to-play-against 3rd year duo of Joel Schreyer and Warren Callis who will be vying for spots in the starting lineup. Schreyer and Callis may be the best defensive forwards in Canada West. Successful 2015-16 rookies Liam Bilton, Brett Brooks and Jonah Wasylak are also returning along with 3rd year centre Justin Augert. Skilled forward Brett Dudar who sat out 2015-16 with injuries is also returning. The locker room will be crowded with close to 20 forwards coming to camp.

It is also worth noting that the Bisons have bolstered their coaching staff by adding former 2nd round NHL draft pick defenceman Ryan Bonni. Ryan had a great 11 year pro career which included multiple seasons in the AHL and Europe. He has since won two Allan Cups and will bring some serious knowledge and experience to the coaching of the Bison defence group.

It is safe to say that with the strong recruiting class and more experience the Bisons will be a much better squad than last season. The nine pre-season games will help Coach Sirant and company make the inevitable difficult decisions about who plays where and with whom.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

2016 Saskatchewan Huskies recruiting class:
2016-17 Men’s Hockey Recruits

It's now official with a release going out this morning ....


Colby Harmsworth, Defence
Harmsworth played four seasons in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen tallying nine goals and 40 assists in 236 games. The 6-2 steady defenceman from Saskatoon was the captain of the Hitmen in 2015-16.

Tanner Lishchynsky, Defence
Spending time in both the SJHL (Yorkton Terriers, Flin Flon Bombers) and WHL (Prince George Cougars and Kootenay Ice), Lishchynsky has 17 goals and 56 assists in his junior career. He was the captain of the Kootenay Ice in 2015-16.

Carson Stadnyk, Forward
Playing right wing for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, the 6-2 Stadnyk tallied 89 goals and 90 assists in his WHL career. The Saskatoon native also had nine points in 11 playoff games for the Silvertips in 2014-15. Last summer, he attended the St. Louis Blues’ Development Camp, and will attend Edmonton Oilers rookie camp in 2016.

Alex Forsberg, Forward
Spending time with four different WHL teams, centre Alex Forsberg has 87 career WHL goals. In 2015-16, the Waldheim, Sask., native finished ninth in league scoring with 31 goals and 60 assists for the Victoria Royals.

Wyatt Johnson, Forward
Johnson, a centre, spent four seasons with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels before joining the Spokane Chiefs in 2015-16. The Saskatoon native had a career best season in 2014-15 scoring 25 goals and 29 assists in 71 games.

Jordan Tkatch, Forward
From Prud’Homme, Sask., Tkatch played three seasons with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, before spending two with the Prince Albert Raiders. The 5-11 speedy setup centre has 68 career goals and 120 career assists.

Connor Gay, Forward
Finishing his WHL career with the Saskatoon Blades, Gay, a 6-0 right winger, scored 25 goals and 47 assists in his 20-year-old season. He also spent time with the Regina Pats and Red Deer Rebels.

Elliott Peterson, Forward
Left winger Peterson played in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen and Vancouver Giants before finishing his junior career with the Whitecourt Wolverines in the AJHL. He scored 28 WHL goals.

Colton Stephenson, Forward
Stephenson, a centre, played three seasons with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings before leaving with a concussion. In 2010-11, he tallied seven goals and eight assists.

Daniel Wapple, Goaltender
The 5-11 Saskatoon native spent time with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Medicine Hat Tigers, Regina Pats and Vancouver Giants in the WHL, before joining the Estevan Bruins in 2015-16 for 16 games. In 2014-15, Wapple played 56 games for the Regina Pats posting a 3.03 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Harmsworth, Stadnyk, Forsberg and Johnson should all be impact players. The others will surely add to the depth at forward. With only Jesse Ross and Matt Spafford graduating from the forward ranks, there were a lot of returnees coming back from last season. Some of them are obviously on the way out.
No word on what's happening with red-shirt forwards Lukas Sutter and former NCAAer Brett Boehm, who spent last season with the club.

 

[Bearpaw]

Serge Lajoie, Head Coach of the Golden Bears was on the Pipeline Show last night to discuss the program. In addition to the recruits mentioned above on the Stauffer show, Lajoie added a few other names:

Brendan Burke - G: Former 6th round NHL pick of the Phoenix Coyotes and son of former goalie Sean Burke. Finished the season with the Memorial Cup Champs from London but most of his playing time was in the WHL. His best season was in 2013/14 with Portland where he had 34 wins and a. 911 save percentage. Will be interesting to see how the goaltending battle shapes up now between Seimens, Burke, Cameron and Daigle

Trevor Cox: a 5'8" forward who put up 109 points for Medicine Hat in 2014/15 before finishing up in Vancouver. He is not confirmed as he is looking at pro opportunities;

Cole Sanford: a 5'9" forward who was a teammate and is a friend of Trevor Cox. In 2014/15, he put up 95 points alongside Cox with the Tigers. He has signed an ATO with an AHL club but if the opportunity does not work out, he could be a Christmas recruit for the Bears.

If these players, along with the other recruits come to Alberta this will be an outstanding class and rival the class that just graduated. And one thing is clear and reiterated by Lajoie is that this class is full of quality character people as well as quality talent.

 

[leafhky88]

Those are 2 very strong recruiting classes from the returning top 2 programs in the Canada West.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

According to Victor Findlay, SMU has added F Hunter Garlent. He put up 40 goals and 47 assists last year for Peterborough. Big pick-up for them.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES RECRUITS
The reigning Canada West champs actually have 11 rookie prospects coming to camp if you include former red-shirt Lukas Sutter.
Sutter, who was twice selected in the NHL Entry Draft, practiced with the team last season along with fellow red-shirt Brett Boehm, a former top-end junior A player who left the NCAA's Minnesota-Duluth program. Boehm WILL NOT be playing CIS hockey for the Huskies this season, I'm told, and only attending university.
There are 1-3 potential red-shirts for the coming season, including a former Mount Royal University player from Calgary (MacKenzie Johnston) and an unnamed goalie.

 

[leafhky88]

Laurier Posts Roster

Laurier has posted their 29 man roster, consisting of 18 forwards, only 8 defencemen and 3 goalies. Last year's team ended with 30 players, less 1 walk-on likely not returning and 6 graduating players. With the addition of 11 new players, the projected roster would have been at 34 players. 5 non-graduating players have thus departed (or are no longer carried on the roster).

These are:

D - Mackenzie Braid
F - Justin Rasmussen
F - Ryan Langan
F - Jordan Delaurier
G - Mark Williams

Braid and Rasmussen are former OHL players. Braid was likely to play in Laurier's top 4 this year.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

UNB has made official the transfer of captain and d-man Trey Lewis from StFX. He will of course red-shirt this year, and some lucky Newfoundland senior team will probably fly him in to play weekends.

http://www.vreds.ca/sports/mice/2016-17/releases/Trey_Lewis

 

[Bob Stauffer]

Alberta

Here is Alberta's release: https://www.ualberta.ca/athletics/t...bears-hockey-unveils-skilled-recruiting-class

of note Jason Fram (D) and Luke Philip (C) are at San Jose's camp this week and Tyson Baille (C) is at Florida's camp.

Trevor Cox, Todd Fiddler, Baille and Philip are all big-time CIS recruits capable of being legit top-6 forwards on Championship caliber team.

 

[leafhky88]

Laurier has posted their 29 man roster, consisting of 18 forwards, only 8 defencemen and 3 goalies. Last year's team ended with 30 players, less 1 walk-on likely not returning and 6 graduating players. With the addition of 11 new players, the projected roster would have been at 34 players. 5 non-graduating players have thus departed (or are no longer carried on the roster).

These are:

D - Mackenzie Braid
F - Justin Rasmussen
F - Ryan Langan
F - Jordan Delaurier
G - Mark Williams

Braid and Rasmussen are former OHL players. Braid was likely to play in Laurier's top 4 this year.

Laurier has added a 9th defenceman - Alex D'Oliveira (Suny-Oswego NCAA III) who had 47 and 48 point seasons with Toronto Lakeshore and Cobourg in his final 2 OJHL seasons.