Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[frontsfan67]

I admit that I am a little confused about the NCAA ruling if it happens. Yes we wuill get some good young players on teams.

BUT

The part that screws it up for me is that most players are just getting good at 18, and they start for the most part at the time they are going to NCAA.

How can you build a team on any plan? If you draft NCAA players, you lose a portion of your team to the NCAA just as your team is getting good.

Consider that you get Dervin this year and he plays who are you dropping? What do you do next year when you lose that talent.

You would lose your OA and NCAA players in the same year that gets a little screwy.

I agree it’s one big headache. I have 0 idea how it’s going to go for Kingston. For London I’d imagine they get even more players then until they’re 18. For instance James Hagens they could’ve got last year before he went to college this year and barrie could get William Moore (they traded for his rights) this year and next since I think the vote is this week (Before Moore goes to NCAA in 2026/2027 which is what he is committed for)

 

[OMG67]

I admit that I am a little confused about the NCAA ruling if it happens. Yes we wuill get some good young players on teams.

BUT

The part that screws it up for me is that most players are just getting good at 18, and they start for the most part at the time they are going to NCAA.

How can you build a team on any plan? If you draft NCAA players, you lose a portion of your team to the NCAA just as your team is getting good.

Consider that you get Dervin this year and he plays who are you dropping? What do you do next year when you lose that talent.

You would lose your OA and NCAA players in the same year that gets a little screwy.

The working assumption is that there are two types of players that go NCAA:
1> High end prospects that truly feel the NCAA is a better option to get to the NHL
2> Players that simply want the education and pro aspirations come 2nd.

Both of those categories can wait until after their 19 yea role season One year later) to play NCAA hockey. The challenge they have now is the USHL really isn’t a good league for advancing development for the 19 year olds because many of them graduate early to the NCAA. With a viable place to play as a 19 year old (CHL), the players may be more willing to wait that extra year, play out their CHL eligibility and graduate to the NCAA one year later.

Where it may be likely to hurt the CHL is the OAs. We may see the top OA’s leave for the NCAA, especially if they aren’t in a favourable situation. But, that won’t matter if the teams are getting the better players that would have gone USHL.

 

[beastintheeast]

The working assumption is that there are two types of players that go NCAA:
1> High end prospects that truly feel the NCAA is a better option to get to the NHL
2> Players that simply want the education and pro aspirations come 2nd.

Both of those categories can wait until after their 19 yea role season One year later) to play NCAA hockey. The challenge they have now is the USHL really isn’t a good league for advancing development for the 19 year olds because many of them graduate early to the NCAA. With a viable place to play as a 19 year old (CHL), the players may be more willing to wait that extra year, play out their CHL eligibility and graduate to the NCAA one year later.

Where it may be likely to hurt the CHL is the OAs. We may see the top OA’s leave for the NCAA, especially if they aren’t in a favourable situation. But, that won’t matter if the teams are getting the better players that would have gone USHL.

The challenge to staying for 19 is whether the universities are going to want to wait. Usually, you commit, and that means that you go to them as a freshman at 18. NCAA teams are not going to want to have a bunch of old guys come to them. The NCAA idea is that they recruit the player (draft) and bring him onto the team as a freshman (rookie), then he develops and does his university as well as becomes an older star.

The commitment is what will make the difference. Will they be able to commit to a university and not play for them when eligible?

The USHL is a feeder team for the NCAA but has developed a lot of good talent in a short time. BUT again, just as the star players get into stride, they leave for universities.

 

[OMG67]

The challenge to staying for 19 is whether the universities are going to want to wait. Usually, you commit, and that means that you go to them as a freshman at 18. NCAA teams are not going to want to have a bunch of old guys come to them. The NCAA idea is that they recruit the player (draft) and bring him onto the team as a freshman (rookie), then he develops and does his university as well as becomes an older star.

The commitment is what will make the difference. Will they be able to commit to a university and not play for them when eligible?

The USHL is a feeder team for the NCAA but has developed a lot of good talent in a short time. BUT again, just as the star players get into stride, they leave for universities.

I am not sure I understand your point. The NCAA schools get players that are more mature in their development. Why would they prefer an 18 year old vs a 19 year old? There are no restrictions on the age in NCAA. If a 20 year old comes in, they are eligible to play for 4 years (in some cases 5 if they have a red shirt rookie year). They will now have access to recruit out of the pool of graduating CHL players. That is a bonus for them.

 

[leafs4life94]

I am not sure I understand your point. The NCAA schools get players that are more mature in their development. Why would they prefer an 18 year old vs a 19 year old? There are no restrictions on the age in NCAA. If a 20 year old comes in, they are eligible to play for 4 years (in some cases 5 if they have a red shirt rookie year). They will now have access to recruit out of the pool of graduating CHL players. That is a bonus for them.

I think the concern is that NHL teams might prefer players in the NCAA over the OHL. I can see Toronto with Cowan or Philly with Luchanko wanting them to play against more physically mature players as a middle ground between OHL and NHL (assuming nothing changes with the AHL agreement).

I'm not going to pretend like I know my ich about NCAA hockey but I think there'd be more competitiion in the OHL, even if NCAA has the older players.

It'll be curious to see how many/what quality of players go down to the NCAA after the new agreement is in place.

 

[OMG67]

I think the concern is that NHL teams might prefer players in the NCAA over the OHL. I can see Toronto with Cowan or Philly with Luchanko wanting them to play against more physically mature players as a middle ground between OHL and NHL (assuming nothing changes with the AHL agreement).

I'm not going to pretend like I know my ich about NCAA hockey but I think there'd be more competitiion in the OHL, even if NCAA has the older players.

It'll be curious to see how many/what quality of players go down to the NCAA after the new agreement is in place.

I think you are talking to a very narrow sliver of players. Plus, the player would need to want to go play NCAA which means going to classes etc for no real reason. If their goal is to play NHL hockey and they are blue chip prospects, I cannot see why that player would want to switch to an environment where they play half the number of games and need to take a full course load. It doesn’t make much sense to me.

The real issue relates to AHL eligibility. If they are drafted out of the NCAA, they are eligible to play AHL early. I think the rule for players being placed in the AHL early will change soon. There probably would be some restrictions like where they are drafted etc. But, that still only affects a small number of players. Most are not physically mature enough to play AHL hockey early. If they are physically mature enough, then chances ar pretty good they are physically mature enough to play NHL. Cowan, as the example, is not physically mature enough to play AHL hockey. Same with Luchanko. Ritchie may be the one that would play AHL. I don’t think there is anyone else.

 

[leafs4life94]

I think you are talking to a very narrow sliver of players. Plus, the player would need to want to go play NCAA which means going to classes etc for no real reason. If their goal is to play NHL hockey and they are blue chip prospects, I cannot see why that player would want to switch to an environment where they play half the number of games and need to take a full course load. It doesn’t make much sense to me.

The real issue relates to AHL eligibility. If they are drafted out of the NCAA, they are eligible to play AHL early. I think the rule for players being placed in the AHL early will change soon. There probably would be some restrictions like where they are drafted etc. But, that still only affects a small number of players. Most are not physically mature enough to play AHL hockey early. If they are physically mature enough, then chances ar pretty good they are physically mature enough to play NHL. Cowan, as the example, is not physically mature enough to play AHL hockey. Same with Luchanko. Ritchie may be the one that would play AHL. I don’t think there is anyone else.

Don't get me wrong, I think the concerns about players leaving is quite overblown and I don't think there'll be a ton of end guys leaving - more just playing devil's advocate.

The class-load part did cross my mind but I figure most of them would be taking bird courses because odds are they're going as a middle ground until they're old enough to play in the AHL.

The difference in season length is something that didn't come across my mind and is probably the biggest deterrent for the NCAA path.

I also wonder if you'd get more middleground OA-eligible players like Roobroeck/BMB/Ludwinski going to the NCAA for a year to get more ice-time, albeit in fewer games.

I suppose the other thing to take into account is that the the NCAA teams will have to want the player and if they suspect it's a one year thing they may not want to use up a scholarship unless it's a very high end player.

 

[frontsfan67]

These rankings are consistently horrible lmao.

Not a single east team is top 4 and Kingston who just went 3/3 didn’t change at all.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Kingston heads into their toughest week of the month with Brampton and Oshawa this week.
Beating Ottawa Weds in the school day game is a must if they want any chance at winning the week.
Realistically they will be lucky to get 3PTS this week and i would call 3 of 6 a success this week.

 

[frontsfan67]

Kingston heads into their toughest week of the month with Brampton and Oshawa this week.
Beating Ottawa Weds in the school day game is a must if they want any chance at winning the week.
Realistically they will be lucky to get 3PTS this week and i would call 3 of 6 a success this week.

100% going to be a hard week. I’d be happy with 3 points.

 

[frontsfan67]

What is the odds we get Kieran dervin to commit? He is committed to Penn State for 2026/2027 so therefore we could probably get him for this year and next before losing him when he is 19. Only thing of course though is this is his draft year and he’s been doing well with st Andrew’s. I wonder if he stays there for this year and comes next?


Also- Matthew Manza who is committed to the Chiliwack Chiefs of the BCHL and is a fronts draft pick has not played a game this year. Any idea why that would be? And what’s the odds we get him to commit to us for the rest of the year before losing him to Ohio State next year?

 

[leafs4life94]

What is the odds we get Kieran dervin to commit? He is committed to Penn State for 2026/2027 so therefore we could probably get him for this year and next before losing him when he is 19. Only thing of course though is this is his draft year and he’s been doing well with st Andrew’s. I wonder if he stays there for this year and comes next?


Also- Matthew Manza who is committed to the Chiliwack Chiefs of the BCHL and is a fronts draft pick has not played a game this year. Any idea why that would be? And what’s the odds we get him to commit to us for the rest of the year before losing him to Ohio State next year?

I've noticed that about Manza too - it looks they've used the same 12 forwards all year with 2 games where they went 11/7. It's the same situation as one of their other Ontario signings, Barrie 2nd rounder Ben Bowen, neither of them have played a game and I can't find anything about why.

I'm be curious if there'd be any Hockey Canada issues with Manza playing in an outlaw league since none the new commits I've seen have come from the BCHL, although if he hasn't played a game I don't know if HC would care.

 

[beastintheeast]

The he courses serious players going the n

What is the odds we get Kieran dervin to commit? He is committed to Penn State for 2026/2027 so therefore we could probably get him for this year and next before losing him when he is 19. Only thing of course though is this is his draft year and he’s been doing well with st Andrew’s. I wonder if he stays there for this year and comes next?


Also- Matthew Manza who is committed to the Chiliwack Chiefs of the BCHL and is a fronts draft pick has not played a game this year. Any idea why that would be? And what’s the odds we get him to commit to us for the rest of the year before losing him to Ohio State next year?

If the vote happens this month, I think it will affect what universities do this coming signing in the spring.
Kieran Dervin is third in points in the league, playing on a dominant St Andrews. I can guarantee he is not going anywhere this year. As to next year, again, it all depends on the rules and what Kington has to offer him. Remember, he is playing AAAU18, so it is not as if he would be able to step in as a top-two center.

Manza seems to have fallen off the face of the earth the only possibility are that he is playing in a lower tier or that he is injured.

 

[dirty12]

The he courses serious players going the n

If the vote happens this month, I think it will affect what universities do this coming signing in the spring.
Kieran Dervin is third in points in the league, playing on a dominant St Andrews. I can guarantee he is not going anywhere this year. As to next year, again, it all depends on the rules and what Kington has to offer him. Remember, he is playing AAAU18, so it is not as if he would be able to step in as a top-two center.

Manza seems to have fallen off the face of the earth the only possibility are that he is playing in a lower tier or that he is injured.

Playing for St. Andrew’s the kid probably has his sights set on Harvard, Cornell, …

 

[frontsfan67]

Playing for St. Andrew’s the kid probably has his sights set on Harvard, Cornell, …

Correct. I believe OHL4Life said before that players that go to st Andrew’s usually have their sights set on schooling

 

[dirty12]

Correct. I believe OHL4Life said before that players that go to st Andrew’s usually have their sights set on schooling

It’s a really good school

 

[beastintheeast]

Playing for St. Andrew’s the kid probably has his sights set on Harvard, Cornell, …

Penn State

I've noticed that about Manza too - it looks they've used the same 12 forwards all year with 2 games where they went 11/7. It's the same situation as one of their other Ontario signings, Barrie 2nd rounder Ben Bowen, neither of them have played a game and I can't find anything about why.

I'm be curious if there'd be any Hockey Canada issues with Manza playing in an outlaw league since none the new commits I've seen have come from the BCHL, although if he hasn't played a game I don't know if HC would care.

They have signed with Chilliwack; therefore, HC could care less about them except to ban them from int competition.