2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

[MSchvatz44]

Well, we knew we'd have to deal with no JST next year. BVB would be tough to replace, but look at the recruits due in 2 years... still no "bruisers". Hopefully Rand and his staff have given this some thought and are planning the appropriate changes to their systems.

I know that JST is gone. My point was that those two guys were vital to the team's success this year, and losing both (BVB unexpectedly) is going to leave a void not easily replaced.

My selfish reasons aside, a huge congrats to Bryce is in order. If you would have told me when he first started at QU that he would be the school's first NHL player, I would not have believed you. That said, I wish him nothing but the best and will be expecting my BVB Flames shirt in the mail shortly.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

I know that JST is gone. My point was that those two guys were vital to the team's success this year, and losing both (BVB unexpectedly) is going to leave a void not easily replaced.

We can always hope that they have someone in the wings who can utilize BVB's scholly.

If you would have told me when he first started at QU that he would be the school's first NHL player, I would not have believed you.

Luke and I both wondered if he'd ever play, let alone be a regular. Credit his determination to make himself a better hockey player.

That said, I wish him nothing but the best

As do I, and, I suspect, everyone else in Bobcat Nation.

[ZYanksRule]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Flames announced the Van Brabant signing, and also confirmed it's a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.35 million. Pretty impressive payday for the kid. Good for him.

[LTsatch]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Flames announced the Van Brabant signing, and also confirmed it's a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.35 million. Pretty impressive payday for the kid. Good for him.

I would probably leave school for that amount, good luck to him, the Yale forwards also thank him for leaving!

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

With the season now over early than we wanted now time to look at the 2014-15 Bobcats season.


Players departing
Kellen Jones
Connor Jones
Jordan Samuels Thomas
Cory Hibbelar
Zach Tolkinen
Brooks Robinson
Bryce Van Brabant, Jr. (Signed with the Calgary Flames)

Key Players Returning
Matthew Peca, F, Sr. (If he doesn't leave early for the NHL)
Dan Federico, D, Sr.
Travis St. Denis, F, Jr.
Alex Barron, D, Jr.
Michael Garteig, G, Jr.
Sam Anas, F, So.
Connor Clifton, D, So.
Devon Toews, D, So.
Brayden Sherbinin, D, So.
Derek Smith, D, So.
Tommy Schutt, F, So.
Tim Clifton, F. So.
Joe Fiala, F/D, So.

Incoming Players
K.J. Tiefenwerth, 5'9 160, F (RS Sophomore, transferred from UMass-Amherst eligible in 2014-15 season)
Landon Smith, 6'0 186, F (43 goals, 40 assists in 58 games for Salmon, BCHL) (Former Denver Commit)
Canon Pieper, 5'10 181. F (33 goals, 33 assists in 57 games for Coquitlam, BCHL)
Bo Pieper, 5'11 180, F (27 goals, 32 assists in 58 games for Coquitlam, BCHL)
Jonah Renouf, 5'8 155, F (20 goals, 41 assists in 52 games for Surrey, BCHL)
Nathan Renouf, 5'8 155, F (15 goals, 34 assists in 40 games for Surrey, BCHL)
Andrew Taverner, 5'11 180, F (28 goals, 34 assists in 54 games for Sherwood Park, AJHL)
Tanner MacMaster, 5'10 154, F (11 goals, 29 assists in 48 games for Camrose, AJHL) (Former BC Commit)
Sean Lawrence, 6'0 180, G (30-8-3, 1.74 GAA .930 SV% in 48 games for the Jr. Bruins Premier)
Kevin McKernan, 6'0 185, D (6 goals, 21 assists in 48 games for the Jr. Bruins Premier)

Possible 2014-15 recruits (These players go stay back in juniors one more year or be in Hamden this coming season)
Nelson Gadoury. 6'1 191, F (12 goals, 28 assists in 50 games for Camrose, AJHL)
Craig Martin, 6'0 175, F (13 goals, 17 assists in 50 games between Alberni Valley and Vernon, BCHL)
Scott Davidson, 6'1 190, F (16 goals 19 assists in 54 games for Trail, BCHL)

*My thought on is that I would either bring either Nelson Gadoury or Scott Davidson to Hamden this year maybe even both of them since they are bruising players. Both are big PIM guys something that Bryce Van Brabant was known for in juniors as well. They are going to need some toughness and I think both of these guys could replace BVB and JST in terms of toughness potentially.


Recruits 2015 and beyond
Logan Mick F, Vernon (BCHL)
Matt Muzyka F, Salisbury School
Chase Priskie D, Salmon (BCHL)
Vince Pedrie, D, Indiana (USHL)
John DeRoche, F, Jr. Bruins U16
Alex Whelen, F, NJ Hitmen U16
Ryan Finnegan, F, Skipjacks Hockey Club U16
DJ Petruzzelli, F, Springfield Cathedral
Keith Petruzzelli, G, Springfield Cathedral
Logan Coomes, F, Frederick Freeze Jr. B


With that breakdown I really like next year's team offensively. Now they are going to have to rely on a lot of freshman forwards to contribute on offense early on but I think they have the young players that possibly could do that. There is a lot of quality talent coming in from both the BCHL and AJHL along with Tiefenwerth becoming eligible. With Peca hopefully returning and the early word is that he will I expect a really good season from him. I'd love to have him centering the top line with Sam Anas and Landon Smith on the wings. That could be pretty deadly. Hoping that Travis St. Denis will take even a bigger step forward next year as he becomes such an important offensive contributor.

My biggest concerns will be toughness at the forward position with no BVB and JST graduating and if Michael Garteig and take even a greater step in 2014-15 and improve on his .912 SV%. Garteig really needs to have a great summer of workouts improving his and get that Save% in the .930's like some of the other top goalies in the country.

As for the captains next year I see Federico as the captain along with Peca an A and either St. Denis or Barron an A.

This team will also have 3 sets of brothers next year with the Cliftons, the Pieper brothers and the Renouf twins. There could be some good chemistry on lines if the Renouf's and Piepers are in the lineup all the time which I expect they likely will be along with playing on the same line as their sibling. Should be interesting. Love to see others thoughts on next years squad.

[CanadaKen]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

My only concern is the Renouf's lack of size. 5'8" may be a 1 inch "stretch" and 155lbs may be 10lbs optimistic.
But.....they are QUICK and you gotta catch 'em to hurt 'em.

Ken

[BigAl]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Hearing Peca isn't a 100% sure he's coming back yet it's likely he will. Also the Jones' sound like they will both sign today while JST might wait till the offseason to become a free agent

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Hearing Peca isn't a 100% sure he's coming back yet it's likely he will. Also the Jones' sound like they will both sign today while JST might wait till the offseason to become a free agent

Losing Peca will be a huge loss. That would leave them without any senior forwards next year. The forwards will already be pretty young as it is next year. If Peca goes we have to look at this team a bit different. They may take a step back to take a step or 2 forward.

[BigAl]

Losing Peca will be a huge loss. That would leave them without any senior forwards next year. The forwards will already be pretty young as it is next year. If Peca goes we have to look at this team a bit different. They may take a step back to take a step or 2 forward.

I don't think he will leave but who knows.

Also BVB will graduate this year so he got it done a year early. Great to hear that as well. Can't wait to see him play Tuesday. Great day for the program

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

I don't think he will leave but who knows.

Also BVB will graduate this year so he got it done a year early. Great to hear that as well. Can't wait to see him play Tuesday. Great day for the program

That makes leaving early probably the right call if he is graduating early. A 2 year 1.3 AAV deal doesn't hurt as well. Best of luck to him in the NHL and beyond. I hope he has long success with Calgary.

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Looking at the out of conference schedule next year I know they have a home and home with Northeastern and that is for the next 4 years. I believe they also may have Lowell again next year and I believe Providence and maybe Merrimack again. Anyone hearing anything different or some additional teams?

[QU87]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Nice interview with Van Brabrant on Calgary Flames TV http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocenter/

[QU87]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Nice interview with Van Brabrant on Calgary Flames TV ...

http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocen...590922&lang=en

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

BCHL Recruit stats from over the weekend

Logan Mick in 2 games had 1 goal and 1 assist
Bo Pieper 1 goal
Canon Pieper 1 assist

[QUAlum2004]

Re: 2014 Quinnipiac Bobcats off season

Zach Tolkinen signs with Abbotsford Heat of the AHL. They are minor league team for the Calgary Flames. Congrats to Zach.

http://www.abbotsfordheat.com/news/r...article_id=830