| Brendan Gorman | Princeton University | NCAA | R | C | 6’0″ | 173 | Princeton | 2022 | Arlington, MA | 2003 | 2022-2023: C+2021-2022: C2020-2021: C |
NCAA: Princeton vs RPI, February 24, 2023: Gorman totaled 16:16 in ice time including 4:14 while on the power play and 0:19 while shorthanded. Gorman is an average sized forward with exceptional quickness and lateral agility. The puck does not slow him down and he has a powerful cross-under that allows him to create separation after contact or when pulling a puck off the wall during a scrum. He may have finished -1 on the night, but he was on the ice when five goals were scored (3 RPI v 2 Princeton). We wouldn’t say his decision making led directly to any of the goals against, but on RPI’s third goal his over eagerness as the F3 on the forecheck led to a clean zone exit and eventually the goal. Offensively he was dynamic and we can say his decision making led directly to two Princeton goals. On the first he cleanly corralled a bouncing puck off a the wall and because he was well prepared he fired a laser strike through the seam to a teammate in the slot. And on the second he maintained possession through contact and then made an 8′ backhand sauce pass to a teammate which allowed the cycle to continue. He finished the game -1 with 2 assists, 1 shot, 1 PP shot, 3/7 on face-offs, 0 hits, received 1 hard body check, 3 giveaways, 1 takeaway and he won 33% of his 6 puck battles.
NCAA: Princeton vs Harvard, January 6, 2023: Gorman totaled 15:28 in ice time including 2:29 while on the power play. He did not play while shorthanded. Gorman showed excellent poise and confidence when he attacked the middle lane as the puck carrier and then dished to the dot lane after drawing the opposing defenders to him. There were times when he got bumped out of the middle lane after the pass, but he used his strong edges to grab the ice and then get to the front of the net looking for a downhill tip or rebound. As a right shot he played the left flank on the power play and his ability to settle bouncing passes quickly / cleanly allowed the Princeton PP to keep the pressure on. He also showed an expanded shooting zone on his one-timer which led directly to a primary assist on a deflection. He was -1 on a delayed penalty, but we liked his defensive side positioning during the wall battle that led up to the goal. On the night he finished -1 with 1 primary assist, 0 shots, 3/8 on face-offs, 0 hits, received 1 hard body check, 8 giveaways, 4 takeaways and he won 56% of his 9 puck battles.
NCAA: Princeton vs Union, December 9, 2022: Gorman totaled 13:46 in ice time including 3:19 while on the power play and 0:51 while shorthanded. As always Gorman’s high pace was very noticeable and his skill level was relied on by the Princeton’s coaching staff, but in our opinion he was forcing cute plays and trying to do too much. We did like his puck pursuit on rebounds as he generated two grade “A” opportunities by simply out racing opponents to loose pucks in the slot. On the night he finished even with 0 points, 2 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 4/7 on face-offs, 1 hit, had 1 shot blocked, 4 giveaways, 3 takeaways and he won 29% of his 7 puck battles.
NCAA: Princeton vs Harvard, October 29, 2022: Gorman totaled 13:45 in ice time including 0:40 while on the power play and 0:05 while shorthanded. Gorman was welcomed to college hockey by being caught on the ice for an extended first shift that was the result of back to back to back Princeton icings. Heading into his college career we were very aware of his pace and high skill level, but we wondered how his strength would hold up against larger stronger players. Well Gorman did not disappoint. He not only took both face-offs, he won them both and even though Princeton failed to clear their defensive zone he stayed on the net side of the wall battles which allowed the Tigers to not give up any opportunities. He scored a goal that showed his overall hockey IQ. The play started with a backcheck through the neutral zone where Gorman’s head was on a swivel the entire sprint back. He then recognized that his defenseman had created a turnover and he sprinted to the grey area for a puck retrieval. He then quickly scanned the ice to recognize time and space which allowed him to use his acceleration to gain the middle lane through the Neutral Zone. His speed backed the Harvard defenders off the blueline and he smartly fired a rolling puck wrister through the defender’s legs from the high slot that went low blocker for his first collegiate goal. He finished the night +1 with 1 goal, 1 shot, 6/18 on face-offs, 1 hit, received 1 hard body check, 2 giveaways, 1 takeaway and he won 60% of his 5 puck battles.
U18: USA Hockey Nationals 18U, May 3, 2022: Coming off an excellent season for St. Sebastian’s School in NEPSAC hockey, Gorman finished out his 18U career with another great showing. He knows where to be and when to be there in order to produce, finishing with four goals (one shorthanded) and three assists in three games played for the Princeton commit. He is crafty and moves with ease in all three zones. He creates off the rush and within the offensive zone. He can switch it up on the rush and play off beat to throw things off and open it up for his teammates or for himself. Crisp passes all around for the apples. Dynamic offensive threat that continues to impress. Grade: A-
U18: St. Sebastian’s vs Belmont Hill, November 26, 2021: Gorman centered St. Sebastian’s top line. The first things that literally jumped off the ice at you is his quickness, agility and top speed. Gorman can fly. It was obvious that Belmont Hill’s defensive core was intimidated by his speed and did not want to get burned so they gave him a ridiculous amount of space to make plays when coming the neutral zone or over the offensive blueline. The Princeton commit has a chance to put up serious numbers for St. Sebastian’s this year.
Morandom Thoughts, October 5, 2021: 2003, u18 Boston JR Eagles, center & motor for BJE’s top unit, constantly around puck, showed understanding of playing below the puck in defensive situations & transition, change of pace is his biggest asset.
U18: Neponset Valley River Rats Showcase, September 15, 2021: We watched Brendan in the PHL and in showcases this Summer and he hasn’t slowed down. He centers the top unit for the Eagles and was creating offence each time out on the ice. He processes the game quickly and is at his best with the puck on his stick on zone entries. He has quick hands and snaps pucks to the open teammate or keeps the puck and drives the net. He created more than a few odd-man rushes and breakaway chances by correctly anticipating the play and getting to open ice. He plays with a high motor and compete level in both ends. He is difficult to track down along the walls and off-cycle and he always has his feet moving. Gets to the net and isn’t afraid to play through contact. He will be counted on to drive the offence for the Eagles and St Sebastian’s this Winter. Grade: A-
Morandom Thoughts, September 7, 2021: It doesn’t matter how bad the ice is because Brendan Gorman‘s first 3 steps are electric.
U18: PHL Team ATC vs Team IQ, May 28, 2021: Brendan was one of the stronger players here and continued his strong play from Nationals in St. Louis. He plays fast and handles the puck well at speed. He makes decisions quickly and identifies passing options and lanes in stride. He was effective on zone entries and attacked defenders directly. Scored a goal cutting to the net. He worked hard in both ends of the ice and made some nice reads cross-ice to change the point-of-attack and open-up space. Slick hands let him make some plays in tight and break down defenders. Grade: A-
U18: USA Hockey Nationals 18U, May 8, 2021: Gorman is a tall, lean spark plug on the ice and was electric all week with the puck. He competes all over the ice and generates scoring chances at will. In open ice, he absolutely flies and is tough to keep up with his breakaway speed as his hands are moving to match his foot speed. Brendan can change direction in a split second and is hard for defenders to keep in front of him. He is tenacious and goes to battle for loose pucks and when he jumps into battles, he always wants to come out with it the puck. His high hockey IQ was on display, as he reads plays and is always in the right spot on both sides of the puck. Gorman’s release is instant and can change the angle of his blade to get the goalie moving just enough for him to find the twine. One of Brendan’s goals this week came off the rush, where he toe dragged the puck inside the defensemen and rifled it far side, over the goalies’ blocker, off the post and in. In the playoff game against the Avalanche, Gorman shined and was all over the ice in a good way consistently making big-time plays. GRADE: A
Morandom Thoughts, December 15, 2020: Brendan Gorman is slippery and might be the slipperiest player I’ve seen all Fall. He takes body contact incredibly well and 95% of the time the defender misses him outright. Also, he can bury it.
U18: Cape Cod Whalers Showcase, October 29, 2020: Brendan pushes the pace on the offensive end and was constantly creating scoring chances. He is smart with and without the puck. Used his feet and timing to get to the right spots right before the puck. Slips in and out of soft spots in the offensive zone. Snaps pucks on net and drives to get rebounds. Always had his feet moving in the offensive zone and escaped pressure well. He fights through pressure to get to the dirty areas of the ice. Does not rush plays and will wait for the right passing option to materialize. He was good on zone entries and used his edges to cut to soft ice to buy time. He works hard on both sides of the puck and has a good deal of upside. Grade: A-
QMJHL American Entry Draft Recap, June 17, 2020: NHL NZ already has Brendan as a “C” rate which means he is a player who NHL teams should take a look at. Gorman is quick in traffic and quickly gathers pucks. He is compact and can score. He had a very good season for St. Sebastian’s and will be a top prep player this season. His brother is at Princeton where his father went to school as well. Murph’s Take: I like Brendan’s game a lot. The 2003 makes lots of plays. His straight line speed is called into question at times that will improve and it didn’t hamper him as he averaged almost a point a game this past season. He is not a USHL Draft pick as far as I know and that may make him think about the option of heading up to take a look at least. We will see but he is a player that plays the right way and gets on the score sheet. Grade: A-
New England Prep: St. Sebastian’s Holiday Tournament, January 10, 2020: Gorman was a very interesting player to watch this weekend as he didn’t dominate the scoresheet but he did a lot of good things, created and made the smart play almost every time. Brother of Sebs alum now Princeton forward (Liam Gorman ’00), the 03 is a smart player on both sides of the puck, He supports well, can make short passes in tight but he loves to shoot and has a rip. Shot heavy and does a good job of changing the shooting angle, zipping thru screens or legs and getting pucks on net. Didn’t score this weekend but must’ve had 15-20 shots in the 3 games he played. Can definitely get to the dirty areas out front more at times but he does a great job of finding soft ice and getting open. Has decent feet and is pretty mobile, he’s not explosive but that will come as he’s still growing into his body. Very intriguing player to watch over the next couple years. Grade: C+
2003s: Mass Festival Final 40, May 21, 2019: Brendan isn’t big but was a nightmare for opponents, especially opposing defensemen. He would hunt pucks like his life depended on it. He wants the puck. We believe that he believes it’s his. It belongs to him. Scored a gritty goal with skill on the finish as he stole a puck with a clever poke check, separated and went in to deke the goalie badly with little space left. He is a bit if a wild card here. He will try to get too clever at times but his persistent puck pursuit usually means he gets mistakes back. Loves the net front and has touch around the cage. Energy, grit and skill. May have hurt his finger but too much upside to not add to the squad.
2003s: Massachusetts Festival, May 17, 2019: Brendan has very effective here and had a nice goal in our viewings. He is a bigger winger that moves well. He uses his body and reach to create time and space. He is smart positionally and receives pucks in stride so he can attack defenders directly. He has good hands and can make plays in tight. Was effective all weekend rolling-off pressure below the dots in the offensive zone and making plays low to high. He plays through contact and uses his strength to battle in front of the net. He has a quick release on his shot and hides the release in one-on-one situations. Lots of upside. Grade: A-
U16: Massachusetts Midget Playoffs, November 21, 2018: Long, thin forward that will be able to build on his frame in the coming years. Tough on the puck and plays through contact in the offensive zone. He is long and uses his reach effectively along the walls. He has good feet and changes direction quickly on his edges. Balanced and controlled, he is cerebral with the puck and doesn’t force plays. Needs to add a step in order to gain separation from defenders. Will be one to follow as he steps into the prep ranks. Grade: B
2003s: Massachusetts Festival, May 29, 2018: Brendan was a factor in every game here. Played fast and stayed around the puck. Showed he was a shooter day one when he went top corner with a nice shot and quick release. His stride is smooth and he jumped quickly on chances. He worked very hard. Showed poise and patience on a cross-crease pass to Sullivan where waited and put a perfect pass on the tape. Can sauce pucks to space. he has an approach that will translate to points at each level. Must add strength to be more successful in traffic. He was good here and made a solid bid to get to Buffalo.
U14: USA Hockey National Championships, April 18, 2018: Gorman has a lot of integrity in is game. Works very hard each shift and keeps himself around the puck. He is a good skater and has a long stride. Good stick defensively as he got his blade in lanes and dispossessed opponents with back pressure. Made a nice pass on the power play against Mission where he wheeled from the corner and quickly fired a pass on the tape of Elias for the score. Proved to be the game winner in a huge win on day one. All situations player with grit, skill and athleticism.
U14: River Rats Bantam Showcase, January 4, 2018: Brendan stood out on a Wizards team that ran into some problems on the weekend. He works hard in all three zone and moves well when he gets up to top speed. He is always around the puck and has average puck and stick skills. He is direct and drives the puck to the net. Grade: B+
U14: ECC Labor Day Showcase, September 9, 2017: Two-way forward that plays in all three zones. Nifty forward that can create offense, he made a really nice move around a defensemen to go in on a breakaway. He supports the puck well and has a high hockey IQ. Smooth skater and highly skilled, he has caught our eye a few times this summer.
U14: Mini Chowder Cup, August 11, 2017: Two way forward that plays the entire 200 feet. He does a great job at supporting the puck through the middle of the ice. His hockey sense is very high and knows how to make plays for scoring chances but can also put the puck in the net on his own.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images