Recruit Update

[pdt1081]

Our first WHL recruit!

Bowling Green has received a commitment from 2004-born recruit Tanner Scott. The forward out of Sherwood Park, Alberta has 13 points in 14 games for the WHLs Victoria Royals so far this season.

https://x.com/puckpreps/status/18565840 ... RPZNlRPaow

56 pts in 68 games last season. This is his 5th season in the WHL. Turns 21 in May. Willy mentioned 19 and 20 year olds would be the primary focus of NCAA teams.

[mbenecke]

Our first WHL recruit!

Bowling Green has received a commitment from 2004-born recruit Tanner Scott. The forward out of Sherwood Park, Alberta has 13 points in 14 games for the WHLs Victoria Royals so far this season.

https://x.com/puckpreps/status/18565840 ... RPZNlRPaow

56 pts in 68 games last season. This is his 5th season in the WHL. Turns 21 in May. Willy mentioned 19 and 20 year olds would be the primary focus of NCAA teams.

As someone who knows next to nothing about the CHL (though I am learning!), my opinion would be that this guy seems like a pretty high quality pickup?

[pdt1081]

As someone who knows next to nothing about the CHL (though I am learning!), my opinion would be that this guy seems like a pretty high quality pickup?

He's probably the "average" type CHL player that will go the NCAA route. The top talent guys are going NHL or AHL when they age out, and they already KNOW. The guys that could step right into the ECHL or sign ATO/PTO for an AHL club are the ones NCAA teams will be concentrating on. If a player knows their best chance to play pro is going to be the ECHL, they may as well get a degree first.

The overall quality of the college game should get better top to bottom (parity). Outside of a few select schools, don't expect too many "blockbuster" type commitments.

[mbenecke]

As someone who knows next to nothing about the CHL (though I am learning!), my opinion would be that this guy seems like a pretty high quality pickup?

He's probably the "average" type CHL player that will go the NCAA route. The top talent guys are going NHL or AHL when they age out, and they already KNOW. The guys that could step right into the ECHL or sign ATO/PTO for an AHL club are the ones NCAA teams will be concentrating on. If a player knows their best chance to play pro is going to be the ECHL, they may as well get a degree first.

The overall quality of the college game should get better top to bottom (parity). Outside of a few select schools, don't expect too many "blockbuster" type commitments.

That all makes sense. I would think this type of commitment should be "better" than the average commit we would normally pull, though? Like, compared to the juniors leagues we've been recruiting previously, I would assume the WHL is viewed as a higher level of junior hockey? Besides maybe the USHL.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I think it's more that the pool of the types of USHL players that have been spurning the CCHA for the Nachos and B1G just got bigger such that we can now draw more of those types of players. At the other end, BC/BU/Nodak/DU/UM/etc. blue bloods still have the same amount of ice time to dish out. If you have four lines and 3 D pairs comprised of nothing but draft picks, someone isn't getting enough ice time. This somewhat limits how many new blue chippers the blue bloods can onboard, especially if most of these programs are looking at roster limits. This is a long winded way of saying what PDT said in 10 words.

[pdt1081]

That all makes sense. I would think this type of commitment should be "better" than the average commit we would normally pull, though? Like, compared to the juniors leagues we've been recruiting previously, I would assume the WHL is viewed as a higher level of junior hockey? Besides maybe the USHL.

The CHL invests heavily in player development. He not named was 45 pts in 59 OHL games before coming here. We all saw that difference on the ice.

[mbenecke]

Another commit from the WHL in Brayden Crampton from the Spokane Chiefs for the 2025-2026 season.

Participating in his 4th season in the WHL, the 6’0 defenseman (20 years old) has 16 points in 20 games this season. Last year, he had 57 points in 64 games.

Seems like another quality pickup.

[pdt1081]

Brayden Crampton from the Spokane Chiefs. 20 year old Right handed defenseman. Currently 3-13-16 through 20 games. Finished last season with 9-48-57 in 64 games.

https://chl.ca/whl-chiefs/article/chief ... niversity/

[mbenecke]

3rd commitment in the past 2 days - Jake Sloan, 6’4 forward from the WHL’s Tri-City Americans. 22 points (7G, 15A) in 17 games so far this year. 70 points (31G, 39A) in 68 games last year.

I really like what we’re doing here. Feels deliberate.

[pdt1081]

I wonder if Willy can convince this kid to go to college. 14/13/27 in only 16 games and he's now eligible for NCAA play next year.

https://chl.ca/whl-silvertips/players/29026/

Revisiting this after seeing what commitments are being made. He's an 06, turned 18 at the beginning of this month. I don't think he's a player that would be able to come next season. Maybe the following.

But, https://chl.ca/whl-silvertips/players/29189/ is an 04 import that's aging out this season. From Czech Republic seems to fit the mold of next season's freshman class.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Willy’s signings are being noticed on some of the national discussion boards. The Tech guys are noticing as well.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Report on Sloan:

Playmaking is the name of Sloan's game. He has legitimate NHL passing skill, capable of feathering passes under sticks, over them, and even multiple at a time. Occasional deception freezes defenders, and the passing lane with it. He works the give-and-go regularly and always looks for teammates on the inside instead of forcing plays up the boards. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

[jpfalcon09]

Add Jacob Steinman, goaltender from the Moncton Wildcats in the Q.

[mbenecke]

Add Jacob Steinman, goaltender from the Moncton Wildcats in the Q.

2.03 GAA and .929 SV% in 17 games this season. 6’1 is decent size.

Welcome aboard.

[pdt1081]

Report on Sloan:

Playmaking is the name of Sloan's game. He has legitimate NHL passing skill, capable of feathering passes under sticks, over them, and even multiple at a time. Occasional deception freezes defenders, and the passing lane with it. He works the give-and-go regularly and always looks for teammates on the inside instead of forcing plays up the boards. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

https://x.com/TheWHL/status/1857620536773296349