Recruiting -- 2018 and beyond

[doubledribble]

A verbal commit For ‘26-‘27, defenseman Matthieu Taillefer. 6’2” 192. Older brother of Alexandre, another UMass commit. Flipped from Penn St.

https://x.com/highcharacter_/status/193 ... 3pozl0So8g

QMHL is part of Canadien Hockey League, which is as good as it gets for Junior Hockey! Nice company to keep
and great to get players from that level moving forward.

A number of years ago my son was drafted to play in the QMHL but chose to play in the USHL.

[wmmmfan]

Nestrasil goes to Chicago at 25

[TruBluMaroon]

Saw a few future commits today ; including another Quebec Major ( 3 - I believe)

[69MG]

College Puck NXT @CollegePuckNXT
26m
BREAKING

The UMass Minutemen have received a commitment from Samu Alalauri!


The ’08 born RHD from Lahti, Finland played the 2025-26 season with the Pelicans in SM-Sarja.

2026 NHL Draft Eligible

He's a 6'2 DMan, probably for 2027.

[TruBluMaroon]

Route 9 - be ready, the pride of Windsor,MA - Easton Anello (D) verbally commits to UM. Currently a junior at
Williston - Northampton, per Jesse Kolodkin at the Berkshire Eagle.

There is a story, but not advanced enough to link, sorry…

This too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKelLtDe8Y/

Projected ‘28-‘29 arrival.

[TruBluMaroon]

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/l ... ium=social


Hope this is the Anello article from the Eagle.

[69MG]

Another young D-man commits. Probably won't be here for at least 2 years.

Ryan Sikes @rms_hockey
40m
NEWS: 3 2009-born recruit Jake Prunty has committed to UMass! The right-shot D man had 8 goals and 44 points with the New Jersey Rockets 15U team last year and is skating with Sioux Falls (USHL) this season.

UMass fans will like Prunty's abilities as a puck-moving D man.

[Old Cage]

Translated from Czech:

"It's official. #NHLBruins prospect Vashek Blanár will in the future expand the ranks of Czech players
in the NCAA at the university @UMassHockey.

From players currently playing are Michael Hrabal and Václav Nestrašil. Big congratulations!"

[Old Cage]

^ Vaclav Nestrasil sr. @nestrasilova

Yesss!!! Vashek had offers from several universities and we supported him in his decision to choose UMass We are glad that he believed in us and hopefully another Czech player will also believe in us and make a commitment soon

[TruBluMaroon]

Translated from Czech:

"It's official. #NHLBruins prospect Vashek Blanár will in the future expand the ranks of Czech players
in the NCAA at the university @UMassHockey.

From players currently playing are Michael Hrabal and Václav Nestrašil. Big congratulations!"

6-5 !!
Making him the shortest of the Czech players at UM.
Would guess that MH will be gone for next season…unless this current injury limits his development this season.
I have seen three goalie commits on the horizon and I believe that all three are NHL draftees ….sure of two, but with the MTD Parade taking up my focus; not going to check….Happy Thanksgiving!!

[Old Cage]

Honza Zoufal @HZoufal
Covering czech junior hockey players
Central European Scout for @eliteprospects:

"The Czech presence at @UMassHockey keeps getting stronger
Max Curran(#GoAvsGo) just announced his commitment to UMass.
Silver medalist with Czechia at the WJC, 41 points in 31 WHL games this season.
Next year, UMass could feature Václav Nestrašil, Vashek Blanár, and Max Curran,
and that list may not be finished yet."
________________________________________________________________

(Dad Nestrasil seems very involved in this.)

Vaclav Nestrasil sr. @nestrasilova
So we can count on Váša, Max, Tobias and Vashek from next season and now please try to bring to UMass Adam Benák, Adam Novotný, Tomáš Poletín, Max Pšenička and Jakub Vaněček so that the core of the Czech national team U20 can prepare for the next World Championship together
_______________________________________________________________

Carvy on UMass becoming a pipeline for Czech players:

“None of them give two shits about the Beanpot, and that’s how we can get them. They go where they think is gonna help them get to the next level, and that’s what we sell.”

[InnervisionsUMASS]

That's one heck of a comment by Carvy....

[MikeUMA]

Carvy on UMass becoming a pipeline for Czech players:

“None of them give two shits about the Beanpot, and that’s how we can get them. They go where they think is gonna help them get to the next level, and that’s what we sell.”

Where was this from? I'd love to see the source.

Regardless, hang it in The Louvre.

[Old Cage]

^ Mike - It was on X from the "High Character" guy who does the podcast on UMass hockey. He seems to have access.

[mdogt12]

https://x.com/i/status/2018841202209226881