Sneddon's really phoning it in for a school that used to be known for it's prestigious hockey program
Vermont Catamounts are 1-11-2, 0-8-1 in HEA
Vermont Catamounts are 1-11-2, 0-8-1 in HEA
Vermont Hockey
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c00per
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A lot of staff turnover with the women's program in recent seasons, and I think the well for international talent dried up, not because there isn't any, but because other teams started getting wise to it and utilized it more. Also, there's been some solid talent in the women's game from Vermonters, and he's gotten none of them in very recent years, that doesn't really help. Taylor Senecal from Essex, who played at the World Juniors U18 for Team USA is going to Colgate, and I think there's another who recently committed elsewhere.
It's entirely possible the new assistant is part of a succession plan and Plumer hangs it up after this year, I wonder how many years are left on his contact (I genuinely don't know), because usually UVM likes to allow people to see those things through, especially someone like him who has been a loyal servant and at least gave the program some credibility. From where it was prior to his arrival, he deserves a lot of credit, but after 12-13 years on the job, it is probably time for change sooner rather than later especially if they're going to bottom out again this upcoming season.
It's entirely possible the new assistant is part of a succession plan and Plumer hangs it up after this year, I wonder how many years are left on his contact (I genuinely don't know), because usually UVM likes to allow people to see those things through, especially someone like him who has been a loyal servant and at least gave the program some credibility. From where it was prior to his arrival, he deserves a lot of credit, but after 12-13 years on the job, it is probably time for change sooner rather than later especially if they're going to bottom out again this upcoming season.
Not sure if it's specifically who you're thinking about, but Megan Healy from South Burlington (who was Senecal's teammate on the USA U-18 team) is headed to Princeton as a freshman this fall.
That's the one. I'm not going to knock either of them for choosing far better academic schools than UVM. From a fan's point of view, it's not fun when the best the state has to offer goes elsewhere. I don't personally blame them for going where they are, but I think the perception that they and a few others before them not going to UVM rankles some people. I might feel differently if they were committing to UNH, Clarkson or Merrimack. I know there is underlying frustration in the hockey community, where girls hockey can product a decent cycle of D1 women's college hockey players, that either Plumer doesn't take locals seriously, isn't in the conversation with the top prospects, or that whatever he's selling to the program it's not working. I'm sure the truth is in the middle as all things are when egos get involved.
UVM gets a pretty big commitment between the pipes: Jacob Oster, from the OHL's Oshawa Generals. He was 3rd in save percentage and 6th in goals against in the OHL this season. He's 21, been in the OHL since 2021-22, but has come along nicely last two seasons as he was top 5 in SV% and GAA last season as well. He also has some famous cousins (and uncle).
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Some might choose Vermont because of its proximity. Others may not choose it because they want to get out of Vermont for a bit. Regarding the latter, just an example: Vermont has a difficult time recruiting/keeping in-state lacrosse players. There are all sorts of reasons that go into the college decision. It's a very personal choice.
Vermonters who are good enough to play D1 hockey, let alone at UVM, which plays in an elite league, are often few and far between. Of course guys can go wherever they see fit (as they should), but for every Ben Finkelstein who ends up at St. Lawrence (which is extremely popular with Vermont kids) and then BC and plays some high level pro abroad that would have been very good player at UVM, there's a Kyle Haskins, who commits to Michigan State, doesn't do anything, and ends up at Canisius where he's decent, but Atlantic Hockey is also a much weaker league than Hockey East. He'd have to be a 4th line grinder type at UVM if they were looking to be competitive. There are also up cycles and down cycles in terms of talent. Right now, and future forecasting, there's a potential for an up cycle.
Not getting Vermonters like Groenewald hurts, but going to Quinnipiac, where you are actually competing for national titles over a UVM squad that has done nothing for a decade, that's an easy choice.
They're really lucky to have Herrington coming in. He could be a total difference maker on the power play (7 of his USHL league-leading 16 goals by a defenseman were on the PP). At UVM, he has to develop better 2-way play, and hopefully, this coaching staff is up to the task to help him reach his potential. They'll need it too...defense was shaky. But, what looks to be some good competition and upgrades between the pipes hopefully helps too.
Next year, there will be two Vermonters on the roster (PJ Forgione is the other). I think both are in line for heavy minutes. They also have commitments from two Vermonters down the line; we'll have to see if they're up to snuff. They both are slated to come in like 2027-2028. There does seem to be an uptick in higher-quality hockey players from the state coming through. Rumors of a young kid from Addison County already making waves...but, young wonders have to grow up, so we'll see.
Not getting Vermonters like Groenewald hurts, but going to Quinnipiac, where you are actually competing for national titles over a UVM squad that has done nothing for a decade, that's an easy choice.
They're really lucky to have Herrington coming in. He could be a total difference maker on the power play (7 of his USHL league-leading 16 goals by a defenseman were on the PP). At UVM, he has to develop better 2-way play, and hopefully, this coaching staff is up to the task to help him reach his potential. They'll need it too...defense was shaky. But, what looks to be some good competition and upgrades between the pipes hopefully helps too.
Next year, there will be two Vermonters on the roster (PJ Forgione is the other). I think both are in line for heavy minutes. They also have commitments from two Vermonters down the line; we'll have to see if they're up to snuff. They both are slated to come in like 2027-2028. There does seem to be an uptick in higher-quality hockey players from the state coming through. Rumors of a young kid from Addison County already making waves...but, young wonders have to grow up, so we'll see.
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Sullivan Martin (Essex Junction) and Jackson Smail (Milton), for the record, both out of Seacoast Academy. I don't know what Smail's plan is, but Martin is going to Sherwood Park in the BCHL next season, and I have it on pretty good intel that there was at least one other Hockey East school in on him.
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Third goalie Connor MacKenzie hits the transfer portal about two months after it closed - makes me think he's been cut, and both Oster and Wright are coming in this season (Oster commit had me unsure if UVM had deferred Wright)
Speaking of goalies, missed this the other day: New goalie coach.
uvmathletics.com
Skidmore Named Assistant Coach with Vermont Men’s Hockey - University of Vermont Athletics
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont Men's Hockey Head Coach Steve Wiedler announced on Wednesday afternoon that Nate Skidmore has joined his staff as an Assistant Coach. Skidmore
uvmathletics.com
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U.S. Roster for World Junior Summer Showcase Announced
Event Starts July 25 in Minneapolis; Canada, Finland, Sweden Participating
teamusa.usahockey.com
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Roster still not updated for the 25-26 campaign. Any cause for concern? Maybe I'm just out of the loop, but I haven't heard any noise about the team, so I am not sure if thats cause for concern or not. Just hoping UVM's marquee sport returns to its rightful place in the college hockey ecosystem.
They posted practice photos the other day on socials, so no I wouldn't be concerned. They probably haven't done photo/media day yet, which is when they start to update things.
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They've been slowly updating it, you just have to add 2025-26 to the URL. It's not fully finished though which is why it's not redirecting.
DID mean that I could catch a transfer that I missed, in USports transfer Ethan Burroughs from St. Francis Xavier. Formerly of Owen Sound in the OHL.
Interesting...he's listed as playing in 2 ECHL games prior to his year at SFX. But I do know that like a few guys are challenging the idea that playing on an ATO is actually a pro deal or whatever. Either way, not like UVM has a lot to lose picking up a guy like that who could turn out to be a solid player.
Boston University Picked to Top Hockey East Men's League - Hockey East Association
Head Coaches Choose Terriers as Regular Season Favorite
hockeyeastonline.com
UVM picked last by a significant margin. Understandable. Nobody knows what this team has. On paper, I like what this team could be, which is to overachieve the preseason prediction and be fighting for a home playoff first round spot (8th place). If they can't do that (forgivable if they're close to that but finish 9th or something, just be in the hunt until the final weekend or something, please). Total wins, has to be 16 or better, in my opinion. Have to take points at home and not squander that. If they're not near these goals, Weidler's gotta go. It would just be clear he's not it, and the reset button would have to be hit all over again.
The UVM women were picked in a tie for 7th in the 10-team league. Jim Plumer is on retirement watch, in my opinion. I'd put solid odds on this year being his final season. Which of course, in UVM land (Schulman land), because one coaching hire is overwhelming to them, Plumer going out would mean they'd probably keep Wiedler if they do finish dead last again because they can't multitask.
Optimistic outlook:
If Kessler-Lombardi-Strand makes another leap forward, I think that's a nice top line to have. They need to have a full, legitimately competitive top 6, which is why guys like Guindon, Burroughs, Michels and Filak (aka all the CHL guys) are important. They basically have to come in and plug the holes, with 2 of them probably needing to be top 6 guys right off the bat with someone like Steenerson or whatever, while the rest have to be upgrades to the bottom six mixed in with your better returnees so you can play them against the opponents top 6 and grind out a good shift that doesn't allow any goals, and maybe get some dirty goals on your own, while giving the top 6 a better chance to possibly feast on opponents bottom six.
Oster and Wright straight up have to push Mangbo to either show he's actually good, or to the bench. Rancier sucking so badly last year did nothing to help that. Defensively, that whole unit needs to make a jump, and the newcomers (Herrington, Gratton, Forgione) hopefully figure in to provide better competition that maybe knocks a few guys down to healthy scratch status.
Need a lot to go right, but if they can up the goal prevention and keep on the track where the offense did actually have the ability to score, this team could turn a corner to not being in the basement.
If Kessler-Lombardi-Strand makes another leap forward, I think that's a nice top line to have. They need to have a full, legitimately competitive top 6, which is why guys like Guindon, Burroughs, Michels and Filak (aka all the CHL guys) are important. They basically have to come in and plug the holes, with 2 of them probably needing to be top 6 guys right off the bat with someone like Steenerson or whatever, while the rest have to be upgrades to the bottom six mixed in with your better returnees so you can play them against the opponents top 6 and grind out a good shift that doesn't allow any goals, and maybe get some dirty goals on your own, while giving the top 6 a better chance to possibly feast on opponents bottom six.
Oster and Wright straight up have to push Mangbo to either show he's actually good, or to the bench. Rancier sucking so badly last year did nothing to help that. Defensively, that whole unit needs to make a jump, and the newcomers (Herrington, Gratton, Forgione) hopefully figure in to provide better competition that maybe knocks a few guys down to healthy scratch status.
Need a lot to go right, but if they can up the goal prevention and keep on the track where the offense did actually have the ability to score, this team could turn a corner to not being in the basement.
Others follow this more closely than me, but I'll say these two things:
1) On paper, I think UVM did a good job of utilizing the CHL pool to raise their recruiting talent level.
2) Everyone else also had access to a new pool of talented CHLers, and I have no idea how well UVM raised their talent level by comparison.
1) On paper, I think UVM did a good job of utilizing the CHL pool to raise their recruiting talent level.
2) Everyone else also had access to a new pool of talented CHLers, and I have no idea how well UVM raised their talent level by comparison.
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I'm more of a basketball guy and maybe I missed something but what is hockey doing for NIL. Is there a group that has raised money like hoops and soccer? Doesn't seem like I've heard much about any hockey fundraising.
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Can UVM return to ECAC? Pretty certain we have enough data points to look and say…hey, this clearly isn’t working.
But, I’m not sure the costs/benefits of being in either conference and if there’s a marginal difference than it prob just makes sense to stay HE since it’s higher-profile due to BC/BU- but they clearly are unable to really compete in HE.
But, I’m not sure the costs/benefits of being in either conference and if there’s a marginal difference than it prob just makes sense to stay HE since it’s higher-profile due to BC/BU- but they clearly are unable to really compete in HE.
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