F Cullen Potter - Green Bay Jr. Gamblers, U16 AAA (2025 Draft)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Potter accelerated his education to graduate HS a year early, he presumably wanted to play NCAA in his DY, Michigan State wouldn't bring him in this fall, Arizona State would.

Didn't see it would be this Fall.

That's kind of understandable from MSU's perspective. They have LVV waiting an extra year and he's a year older. But at the same time, losing out on Potter is big loss for them though. That's a true likely early pick. Bringing in someone like Vansaghi just because he's a few months older and bigger is stupid. Potter is two times the hockey player.

I don't know if this is beneficial for Potter. He's small and was only just starting to finally adjust to junior hockey towards the end of last season. NCAA will likely also be a big adjustment. He's very talented and I suspect at ASU he'll be fed top 6 and PP, but he could struggle his draft year. There haven't been that many playing their U18 season in the NCAA. Celebrini, Toews, Woods, Hanifin, Werenski, Poehling, Yan Kuznetov. Those are basically the only names I recognize since the turn of the century. His family is going to be paying a hefty buyout also to the NTDP, which is likely why we haven't seen this more over the years from some NTDP'ers. At the same time, if he puts up 1PPG or close to it in the NCAA, it'd put him right there for a top 5 selection, so high risk/high reward.

This is a big blow to the 2007's at the NTDP. I wonder if they'll bring in a big name who wasn't there this year to replace him. Potentially Simpson or Kevan, someone like that. Or they'll promote someone like Berchild early in the season. Because this team already wasn't a big "star power" team, and then lost probably their best offensive weapon.

 

[95snipes]

Potter accelerated his education to graduate HS a year early, he presumably wanted to play NCAA in his DY, Michigan State wouldn't bring him in this fall, Arizona State would.

I didn't realize he's looking to play next season. Wow... I don't know about that one.

He's talented, but why leave NTDP early? He didn't exactly kick the doors down this year. He has plenty to gain from another year at the program.

I'll be very interested to see how next season goes if he indeed is playing NCAA. You have Matthew Wood as recent comp for a draft eligible player.

 

[BKarchitect]

How many kids go straight from the U17’s to college? Hanifin did IIRC. Who else?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Yeah, I kind of get this, but I still say cut the cord on Vansaghi or Baker instead. They probably figured those guys are 3-4 years anyway, so that was a better long-term investment than a potential 2 and done guy (maybe even 1 if he's this set on jumping ship early).

https://x.com/i/web/status/1792962151562485907

How many kids go straight from the U17’s to college? Hanifin did IIRC. Who else?

Werenski

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Didn't see it would be this Fall.

That's kind of understandable from MSU's perspective. They have LVV waiting an extra year and he's a year older. But at the same time, losing out on Potter is big loss for them though. That's a true likely early pick. Bringing in someone like Vansaghi just because he's a few months older and bigger is stupid. Potter is two times the hockey player.

I don't know if this is beneficial for Potter. He's small and was only just starting to finally adjust to junior hockey towards the end of last season. NCAA will likely also be a big adjustment. He's very talented and I suspect at ASU he'll be fed top 6 and PP, but he could struggle his draft year. There haven't been that many playing their U18 season in the NCAA. Celebrini, Toews, Woods, Hanifin, Werenski, Poehling, Yan Kuznetov. Those are basically the only names I recognize since the turn of the century. His family is going to be paying a hefty buyout also to the NTDP, which is likely why we haven't seen this more over the years from some NTDP'ers. At the same time, if he puts up 1PPG or close to it in the NCAA, it'd put him right there for a top 5 selection, so high risk/high reward.

This is a big blow to the 2007's at the NTDP. I wonder if they'll bring in a big name who wasn't there this year to replace him. Potentially Simpson or Kevan, someone like that. Or they'll promote someone like Berchild early in the season. Because this team already wasn't a big "star power" team, and then lost probably their best offensive weapon.

Some other names that they could bring in to fill the open roster spot:

Evan Jardine
Gavin Kor
Masun Fleece
Teddy Mutryn

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Some other names that they could bring in to fill the open roster spot:

Evan Jardine
Gavin Kor
Masun Fleece
Teddy Mutryn

They usually almost do like tryouts the U17 year when they bring in guys for a game or two every now and then as an injury replacement. Danny Nelson was that in his U17 year, and then stuck around way longer than most injury replacements. Became obvious that he was joining for the next year.

My guess would be Mutryn or Haeden Ellis based off the number of games they played last season, or also Niles Benson because I think he could play higher in the lineup and he was a fill in for one game last season also. I'm sure the ideal replacement is like Simpson or Kevan, but it's hard to take guys away from USHL teams that are counting on them to be stars next season.

 

[WarriorofTime]

How many kids go straight from the U17’s to college? Hanifin did IIRC. Who else?

Werenski same year.

This is very puzzling from Potter. Who does he think he is? Macklin Celebrini? He didn't exactly dominate USHL games. Not sure why he thinks he should be playing College Hockey in his Age 17 year. Most 18 year olds aren't even ready yet for that level of play and stay in Juniors... but you do you.

 

[JiggsNY]

He is indeed headed to Arizona State this fall

Example # 1345 of writers who should understand how to read NTDP stats by now but still don't. 46 points in 54 games lol not 89 games.

 

[MTU34]

Example # 1345 of writers who should understand how to read NTDP stats by now but still don't. 46 points in 54 games lol not 89 games.

You’d think after long enough they’d finally realize that the ushl stats are accounted for in the ntdp stats on elite prospects

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Will play in NCAA as a U18 player.

Really looking to stand out for the draft because with his size...

 

[cagney]

And to Arizona State? This is one of the more unusual draft year decisions I recall seeing from an American player. I was actually quite interested to see if he could take a big jump with the NTDP this year as he always passed the eye test to me when i saw him last year. Maybe he'll still be able to join them for the U18 WJC.

Hopefully the decision works out for him.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

And to Arizona State? This is one of the more unusual draft year decisions I recall seeing from an American player. I was actually quite interested to see if he could take a big jump with the NTDP this year as he always passed the eye test to me when i saw him last year. Maybe he'll still be able to join them for the U18 WJC.

Hopefully the decision works out for him.

Arizona State was where he was able to get a top 6/9 guarantee for this season. His initial school Michigan State wanted him to wait until next season.

 

[Seb]

Arizona State wasn't his choice, it was the sorting hat's.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1814686996595683720

 

[Hockeyville USA]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1814686996595683720

Wonder what his 17 year old season statline is going to be in the NCAA. Craig Button has said Potter isn't ready for the NCAA, so we'll see if Potter can put up good numbers on a meh Arizona State team that will be facing top competition all year in the NCHC.

 

[LeProspector]

Wonder what his 17 year old season statline is going to be in the NCAA. Craig Button has said Potter isn't ready for the NCAA, so we'll see if Potter can put up good numbers on a meh Arizona State team that will be facing top competition all year in the NCHC.

I’d be impressed if he managed over 25 points. He’s talented but I have to agree with Button. He’s going to get eaten alive 5v5.

 

[bigdog16]

There will be a big adjustment period for him, but overall I think he will be fine. The u18s play a fair amount of NCAA teams anyways.

 

[jtechkid]

he’s elite elite skater but i think consensus
this was a bad move - he’s not big and really didn’t dominate u -17 level - their lot of rumbling from that team and posted rumors from good sources that they are moving some kids off the team - so their were issues with that team

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think he should've stayed another year, as everyone else is suggesting.

But I do think he got a lot better towards the end of the season. He was starting to put up the points that his shifts deserved. He's the most gifted offensive player on that team and by the end of the season he was also playing like their best offensive player.

It's possible he knows what he's doing and the improvement he made the last few months is one that can see him have a lot of success in the NCAA. If he played like that the whole season I don't think many would be questioning if he can play NCAA. Is he that much worse than Matthew Wood? It could work out well, even if I don't think it's any sort of given.

 

[William H Bonney]

Still one of the more baffling decisions I can remember from a prospect of note. He'll either look like a genius or he'll be remembered for all of the wrong reasons.

 

[bigdog16]

I think he should've stayed another year, as everyone else is suggesting.

But I do think he got a lot better towards the end of the season. He was starting to put up the points that his shifts deserved. He's the most gifted offensive player on that team and by the end of the season he was also playing like their best offensive player.

It's possible he knows what he's doing and the improvement he made the last few months is one that can see him have a lot of success in the NCAA. If he played like that the whole season I don't think many would be questioning if he can play NCAA. Is he that much worse than Matthew Wood? It could work out well, even if I don't think it's any sort of given.

I think Wood got away with it simply because he was 6'5 200 and moved well, he could physically handle it. Potter is 5'9 160. Like I mentioned there will be an adjustment period and if he starts out slow hopefully he doesn't get eaten alive by the critics. The NCHC is not an easy conference

 

[FireBird71]

Would’ve loved to have him in Flint

 

[William H Bonney]

If he does indeed struggle it'll be interesting to see what he does. Leave school and join a USHL yeam? Head to the OHL? I highly doubt the NTDP would consider taking him back mid season barring injuries or U17 demotions because of the precedent it'd set.

 

[jtechkid]

I think Wood got away with it simply because he was 6'5 200 and moved well, he could physically handle it. Potter is 5'9 160. Like I mentioned there will be an adjustment period and if he starts out slow hopefully he doesn't get eaten alive by the critics. The NCHC is not an easy conference

the article about him moving to Arizona had some crazy qoutes from his mother - basically his issue at program is his linemates were not good - needs better players - this has recipe for a complete disaster for the kid -makes zero sense but probably bad advice-

he’s elite elite skater but i think consensus
this was a bad move - he’s not big and really didn’t dominate u -17 level - their lot of rumbling from that team and posted rumors from good sources that they are moving some kids off the team - so their were issues with that team

hearing another top scorer is leaving heading back to minnesota- reported on minnesota hockey twitter account - not good news - that’s 2 of top 3 scorers it looks -

 

[Hockeyville USA]

the article about him moving to Arizona had some crazy qoutes from his mother - basically his issue at program is his linemates were not good - needs better players - this has recipe for a complete disaster for the kid -makes zero sense but probably bad advice-


hearing another top scorer is leaving heading back to minnesota- reported on minnesota hockey twitter account - not good news - that’s 2 of top 3 scorers it looks -

Tweet link?