UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Not UVM, but Huntington native Kyle Haskins, formerly of Rice Memorial, has committed to Michigan State.

[CatClass08]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Not to be the downer in this forum, but am I the only person who is getting annoyed that VT born players aren't going to UVM anymore? I know there are probably other circumstance and every situation is different, but legit D1 players don't come out of this state very often and seeing Wetmore, Finkelstein, Samuelsson and now Haskins end up at competing programs is troubling. I know UVM is at a disadvantage having to go in to other Hockey East program's back yard to recruit. Surely we should be making a priority of getting the few players that come from ours.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Not to be the downer in this forum, but am I the only person who is getting annoyed that VT born players aren't going to UVM anymore? I know there are probably other circumstance and every situation is different, but legit D1 players don't come out of this state very often and seeing Wetmore, Finkelstein, Samuelsson and now Haskins end up at competing programs is troubling. I know UVM is at a disadvantage having to go in to other Hockey East program's back yard to recruit. Surely we should be making a priority of getting the few players that come from ours.

On one end I'm of the belief that I don't really care where a player's from; if they're good enough, I don't care if they're from Albania or Burlington.

On the other, I totally understand that UVM hockey is so deeply ingrained in the Burlington/VT community that I see why this could rub people the wrong way.

Women's hockey has one Vermonter, btw (Norwich native Greta Close)

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Riley McCutcheon had an assist in Whitby's 4-2 loss to Mississauga as well as their 6-3 loss to Buffalo earlier this week.
Zach Okabe had three assists in Grande Prairie's 8-1 win over Lloydminster!

[CatClass08]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

On one end I'm of the belief that I don't really care where a player's from; if they're good enough, I don't care if they're from Albania or Burlington.

On the other, I totally understand that UVM hockey is so deeply ingrained in the Burlington/VT community that I see why this could rub people the wrong way.

Women's hockey has one Vermonter, btw (Norwich native Greta Close)

For me it's less about a fan thing and more about the difficulties that UVM has recruiting. It's hard enough to get quality recruits from larger states and provinces, so when high end VT prospects do come along it should be treated as a rare opportunity not to be missed. Finkelstein got drafted, and put up real good numbers last year as a freshman. No doubt he could've helped our team quite a bit.

I feel like women's hockey does this better with players like Litchfield and especially Amanda Pelkey.

On a brighter note, I really like what Okabe and McCutcheon are doing very early this season.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Not to be the downer in this forum, but am I the only person who is getting annoyed that VT born players aren't going to UVM anymore? I know there are probably other circumstance and every situation is different, but legit D1 players don't come out of this state very often and seeing Wetmore, Finkelstein, Samuelsson and now Haskins end up at competing programs is troubling. I know UVM is at a disadvantage having to go in to other Hockey East program's back yard to recruit. Surely we should be making a priority of getting the few players that come from ours.

I'd be interested to know, are these kids wanting to go to UVM and getting rebuffed? I think that was the case with Riley Wetmore, but don't know about the others. A lot of Vermont kids want to spread their wings and go out-of-state. That was the case in my day and, based on my own anectdotal evidence, I believe it still is today. Just wonder if that might be a factor.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

On a brighter note, I really like what Okabe and McCutcheon are doing very early this season.

Okabe has 7 points in 4 games in the AJHL as a 16 year old. I know it's a small sample size but hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Simon Boyko had two goals and an assist, and Ocean Wiesblatt added an assist in Brooks's 9-2 win over Calgary Mustangs.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Zach Okabe had an assist in Grande Prairie's 5-4 OT loss to Drayton Valley.
Ocean Wiesblatt had an assist, and Simon Boyko had an assist and the shootout winner in Brooks's 6-5 shootout win over Drumheller in a game they trailed 5-2 with ten minutes to go. What a thriller!

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Zach Okabe had another big game - a goal and two assists in Grande Prairie's 8-1 win over Drayton Valley. 11 points in 6 games to start the season. As a 16 year old.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Jérémy Côté had a goal in Islanders Hockey Club's 3-1 win over Jersey.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Simon Boyko had an assist in Brooks's 3-1 loss to Olds.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Simon Boyko had a goal and both Wiesblatt brothers had an assist in Brooks's 4-2 win over Zach Okabe's Grande Prairie Storm.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Zach Okabe had an assist in Grande Prairie's 8-3 win over Calgary Mustangs.

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Recruiting: The future of Catamount hockey

Central Scouting watch list for 2018 is out. Riley McCutcheon is on it as a C skater