Committed Recruits Update Thread

[Norm]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

[Riff Raff]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

[thedude]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Looks like it hasn't been too much of a problem...

[BlueBandit24]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Looks like it hasn't been too much of a problem...

Yea, I can't see any evidence that recruiting has taken a hit because of that.

[Riff Raff]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Looks like it hasn't been too much of a problem...

Yea, I can't see any evidence that recruiting has taken a hit because of that.

me neither, but it's too early to tell.....the "sell" had already been done on the current committs when he committed. I can see Hak, Eaves etc... using this down the road. Whether it works or not is to be seen.

[WestCoastGopherGuy]

they just went on a huge recruiting run and won out on recruits that were almost entirely all also being recruited by UND. theyre back to winning and mario will have no affect on the future of this program IMO.

[Hammy]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Maybe it is me but I think this kind of remark makes it seem like parents and kids are not very intelligent. These people are going to understand there is an entirely different dynamic involved when you are talking about a coach's kid.

[Riff Raff]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Maybe it is me but I think this kind of remark makes it seem like parents and kids are not very intelligent. These people are going to understand there is an entirely different dynamic involved when you are talking about a coach's kid.

you're probably right, and I hope so...but it sounds like you might have a little more faith in parents/kids ability to see through the BS that's thrown their way during the whole recruiting process than I do. As you've referenced before, hockey parents are not always rational when dealing with their own kids.....

[mnwildfan79]

If a recruit goes elsewhere because Mario didn't come here, I would question their decision making ability to the extent that we probably didn't want them in the first place. Problem solved.

[sunbone]

I think you would have to be pretty dumb to not be able to figure out that if Don really wanted Mario to come here he would have.

[streakygopher]

I don't know if he would or would not upset the chemistrybut, you said it "wouldn't be worth upsetting..." meaning it would diminish not add to the chemistry, just like you don'tI never said I did know, but rather another outcome exists: that he could add to it....It seems like Don came to the same conclusion as I did.It appears you agree with the outcome that Mario is going away to school. However, you don't know if you and Don came to the same conclusion or not. Is it possible that Don wanted Mario to come to the U but truly left it up to him, or that his mother or brother or priest or Ouija Board may have had some influence?

I understand that some people can't figure out that if Don really wanted Mario to come here he would have. Even people who are pretty dumb.

[WPoSforever]

I don't know if he would or would not upset the chemistrybut, you said it "wouldn't be worth upsetting..." meaning it would diminish not add to the chemistry, just like you don'tI never said I did know, but rather another outcome exists: that he could add to it....It seems like Don came to the same conclusion as I did.It appears you agree with the outcome that Mario is going away to school. However, you don't know if you and Don came to the same conclusion or not. Is it possible that Don wanted Mario to come to the U but truly left it up to him, or that his mother or brother or priest or Ouija Board may have had some influence?

I understand that some people can't figure out that if Don really wanted Mario to come here he would have. Even people who are pretty dumb.

Don actually said something to the effect of if he had put the full press on Mario with regards to recruiting that we would have come here.

[sunbone]

I don't know if he would or would not upset the chemistrybut, you said it "wouldn't be worth upsetting..." meaning it would diminish not add to the chemistry, just like you don'tI never said I did know, but rather another outcome exists: that he could add to it....It seems like Don came to the same conclusion as I did.It appears you agree with the outcome that Mario is going away to school. However, you don't know if you and Don came to the same conclusion or not. Is it possible that Don wanted Mario to come to the U but truly left it up to him, or that his mother or brother or priest or Ouija Board may have had some influence?

I understand that some people can't figure out that if Don really wanted Mario to come here he would have. Even people who are pretty dumb.

Wow, the way you picked apart my post has me thinking about a different definition of the first word in this thread title. Everything I heard lead me to believe Don preferred that Mario go away for school. I could be wrong, but as always, I doubt it.

[Orion]

I assume that Jake is the young Guentzel that I see a lot at Mariucci wearing a lot of "M" gear?

He did pretty well playing with Kloos in the upper midwest league

[Iceburg]

U.S. drops semifinal game to Canada East (LINK)

In unrelated committed recruit news, Justin Kloos is playing for Waterloo this weekend.

[Iceburg]

Connor Reilly has a four goal game going about half way through the third period tonight (LINK)

[Bash Brother]

Looks like the Reilly's have combined for 5 goals and an assist.

I'll take that everyday for the Gophers

[Iceburg]

U.S. takes the third place game (LINK)

[Iceburg]

"Reilly bury's Warriors with 5-spot"

[Bash Brother]

I will take 6 Goals and an Assist from those two every night for the Gophers. Yes sir I will.

[pjl7]

Probably came down to the fact that he expects to leave early. Tough to do when your Dad is the coach. How do you persuade others to stay when your son leaves?

agreed, but.......How do you persuade others to come here in the first place when you own kid doesn't?

Looks like it hasn't been too much of a problem...

Yea, I can't see any evidence that recruiting has taken a hit because of that.

me neither, but it's too early to tell.....the "sell" had already been done on the current committs when he committed. I can see Hak, Eaves etc... using this down the road. Whether it works or not is to be seen.

Eaves probably can't say much about this since Patrick, his more talented son followed his brother to BC instead of donning the red polyester leisure suit in 2003.

[Iceburg]

NHL Central Scouting releases early rankings of players in the four top North American junior leagues for next spring's draft (LINK). Brady Skjei rated fifth and A.J. Michaelson 14th for USHL draft eligibles.

[LeoPohl]

NHL Central Scouting releases early rankings of players in the four top North American junior leagues for next spring's draft (LINK). Brady Skjei rated fifth and A.J. Michaelson 14th for USHL draft eligibles.

Saw that this morning. They've changed that since then. They had the USHL goalies in the OHL and repeated the QMJHL goalies in the USHL. They also listed players with (I believe) Rimouski and Quebec among the USHL talent. Good to see they got that mess sorted out.

I'm still surprised Michaelson is that high. I'm interested to see where that would put him the draft.

[LeoPohl]

me neither, but it's too early to tell.....the "sell" had already been done on the current committs when he committed. I can see Hak, Eaves etc... using this down the road. Whether it works or not is to be seen.

Eaves probably can't say much about this since Patrick, his more talented son followed his brother to BC instead of donning the red polyester leisure suit in 2003.

I believe you are a year late on that. But he would have to be pretty stupid to make too much of it. Lucia got at least one of his sons to his own school. Guentzel would be a little funny. His two sons (that I know of) that have played D-1 played at both Lucia's alma-matter and prior team coached. Coincidence?

[Hammy]

I'm still surprised Michaelson is that high. I'm interested to see where that would put him the draft.

I think AJ is going to be a decent player at the U. He'll create opportunities with his excellent speed and decent size on the big ice sheet. I really don't think he'll turn into a star type of player at the rate he is going though. He may score more than I think in college given some of the smaller, really skilled guys we have recruited and their ability to create space and make plays.

But my expectations have lowered some and I am simply looking for the kid to come in, skate hard, chip in some goals, play some PK (always good to have speed at forward on the PK), and throw his body around some.

[LeoPohl]

I'm still surprised Michaelson is that high. I'm interested to see where that would put him the draft.

I think AJ is going to be a decent player at the U. He'll create opportunities with his excellent speed and decent size on the big ice sheet. I really don't think he'll turn into a star type of player at the rate he is going though. He may score more than I think in college given some of the smaller, really skilled guys we have recruited and their ability to create space and make plays.

But my expectations have lowered some and I am simply looking for the kid to come in, skate hard, chip in some goals, play some PK (always good to have speed at forward on the PK), and throw his body around some.

I'm not questioning your take, but it makes me wonder why he keeps being rated so highly given how much he's struggling in the USHL. Looking at the potential roster for next couple seasons, he's likely going to have to push hard for playing time--which only adds to the question of why he'd be thought of that highly. (To be honest, I'd probably have him outside the top 12 forwards his sophomore year if Fasching signs/the Nannes come early and only a couple leave early.)

I'll be highly interested in December to see his mid-term rank if he hasn't stepped his production up dramatically by then.

[Hammy]

I'm not questioning your take, but it makes me wonder why he keeps being rated so highly given how much he's struggling in the USHL.

Probably because he started off with more early positive hype. But the more they see him and the less he does, the more he is going to get picked apart and see his stock drop. He's gonna need to really pick it up. I said he wouldn't be a 1st rounder. Now I am starting to think he won't be a 2nd rounder either. I'm thinking 3rd or 4th round at this rate.

[LeoPohl]

I'm not questioning your take, but it makes me wonder why he keeps being rated so highly given how much he's struggling in the USHL.

Probably because he started off with more early positive hype. But the more they see him and the less he does, the more he is going to get picked apart and see his stock drop. He's gonna need to really pick it up. I said he wouldn't be a 1st rounder. Now I am starting to think he won't be a 2nd rounder either. I'm thinking 3rd or 4th round at this rate.

I went into the conversation with him as a 3rd rounder and was wondering why he'd be taken that high!

A month ago I thought he'd either be a steal or bust in the draft, not much in-between, and that the team that drafted him would likely know early. I based that on the notion that he'd either be a scorer or bench warmer (not a grinder/defensive specialist) at the NHL level (and here) given what I have seen and others have said about him. Using that as my guide, I would have him as a third round pick. If he lives up to the hype-I got a steal. If he doesn't-I'm not out a high pick. I'm now, much to my chagrin, starting to wonder if he's already showing. Given how well Cammaretta's doing on the same team a year younger, I'm really starting to wonder what scouts are seeing in A.J.. I know he's fast, but so was Bostrom, and Bostrom's size (or lack thereof) wasn't what kept him down on the pecking order every season he was here.

[LeoPohl]

After questioning Michaelson, I thought I'd post a little about Brady Skjei from NHL.com.

Steven Hoffner has him going 24th to the Oilers.link

An article about the USNTDP has pretty good praise.

Brady Skjei, D (6-2.75, 200): The Lakeville, Minn., native has made an immediate impression in his first season with the NTDP U-18 team. He has 3 assists in 13 games, but also has proven to be a steady influence along the blue line. In 2010-11, Skjei played a significant role on the U-17 team that placed second at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 4 points in six games.

Skjei, who is headed to the University of Minnesota where his grandfather, Stan, was a collegiate football star in the early 1960s, finished with 5 goals and 19 points in 55 games with the U-17 team last season. Skjei has been compared to former USNTDP defenseman Derek Forbort, who was taken by the Los Angeles Kings with the 15th pick of the 2010 draft. Skjei is an elite skater and puck mover and brings a bit of creativity off the transition.

"He's a good, big player and unbelievable skater," Barzee said. "His size and puck skills will put him right up there with the top defensemen of this draft."

[WestCoastGopherGuy]

i dont want to take a shot at forbort because he seems like a nice kid, but i hope skjei is a better college hockey player than forbort has been to this point..

[LeoPohl]

i dont want to take a shot at forbort because he seems like a nice kid, but i hope skjei is a better college hockey player than forbort has been to this point..

I had MAJOR expectations for Forbort coming into this season. To the point where I thought it was pretty much a foregone conclusion he was going to sign with L.A. this spring-and be a good compliment to the offensive J.J. and Doughty. That said, I hope Sjkei is better at this point, as well.

One bad thing about Forbort's situation is it's somewhat similar to Fischer's his sophomore season here. One play he's expected to run the offense (or at least add to it), the next he's expected to play the shut-down role which got him the first round pick. Skjei won't likely be put in that situation, as Marshall, Schmidt, and Holl will likely still be here and Skjei will be given time to concentrate on the defensive end and develop the offense naturally, whereas it seems like UND is forcing Forbort into a more offensive role than he's comfortable with. That's just my take.

[Hammy]

Forbort's issue is he is a big kid that plays smaller. Unlike a lot of Sioux defensemen in the last 10 years with similar size, Forbort doesn't use it.

Skjei is a great skater with good size. He's not lanky like Forbort was at that age.

[LeoPohl]

Forbort's issue is he is a big kid that plays smaller. Unlike a lot of Sioux defensemen in the last 10 years with similar size, Forbort doesn't use it.

Which was the opposite of his m.o. coming in. He used his body pretty well in the games I saw him play at D.E., and laid some pretty good hits. His scouting report coming out of the NTDP was that he could be pretty nasty at times, as well. Why the change, I don't know. You'd think if anything, he'd become nastier in Grand Forks.

Skjei is a great skater with good size. He's not lanky like Forbort was at that age.

I'm wondering if Ryan McDonagh is a better comparison. Skjei seems pretty solidly built with a similar frame as McDonagh. They're both pretty good skaters, as well. I'm definitely excited about the next few seasons with Skjei joining the already stacked (at least on paper) d-corps.

I'm wondering if Forbort will become more physical when he grows into his frame. As tall as he is, he should be around 230 when he fully matures and have a similar body to E.J..

[Hammy]

His scouting report coming out of the NTDP was that he could be pretty nasty at times, as well.

Not sure what scouting reports you were reading but that is hardly what was being said. Nasty? Not quite.

[LeoPohl]

His scouting report coming out of the NTDP was that he could be pretty nasty at times, as well.

Not sure what scouting reports you were reading but that is hardly what was being said. Nasty? Not quite.

I just looked-up some sources and apparently I have a faulty memory. The words "could" and "should" appeared quite a bit in the articles, but somehow got erased in my head.

[Hammy]

It happens to all of us. No one is immune to that.

[LeoPohl]

It happens to all of us. No one is immune to that.

Seeing you say that makes me feel quite a bit better.

[steps1299]

Hammy,

Anyway Cammarata has a chance to come in next year? Has he been accelerating HS? This kids looks like the real deal playing in the USHL against kids 2-3 years older than him.

[WestCoastGopherGuy]

Hammy,

Anyway Cammarata has a chance to come in next year? Has he been accelerating HS? This kids looks like the real deal playing in the USHL against kids 2-3 years older than him.

NTDP made a mistake. get him on the u18s next year please..

[streakygopher]

My take on Forbort is that he does not play with a lot of confidence, especially with the puck. Compare him to Schmidt this season versus last and Marshall as a freshman. Also, I agree that expecting him to play both sides of the rink is like asking Kent Hrbek or Joe Mauer to hit home runs.

Speaking of Marshall, he is this year what I thought Ness was going to be.

[gopherguy13]

Maybe I slept through this day in English class, but what sound does "Skj" make?

[psych]

Maybe I slept through this day in English class, but what sound does "Skj" make?

Sh.

[Bash Brother]

Maybe I slept through this day in English class, but what sound does "Skj" make?

Sh.

I guess the whole thing is pronounced like "Shea" or "Shay"

Weird

[steps1299]

This reminds me of when Okposo was coming in.

[Bushwood Gopher]

My take on Forbort is that he does not play with a lot of confidence, especially with the puck. Compare him to Schmidt this season versus last and Marshall as a freshman. Also, I agree that expecting him to play both sides of the rink is like asking Kent Hrbek or Joe Mauer to hit home runs.

Speaking of Marshall, he is this year what I thought Ness was going to be.

Not to derail the thread, but where is there a comparison whatsoever between Joe Mauer and Kent Hrbek re: their homerun hitting ability? Hrbek had 10 seasons of hitting 20+ or more home runs.

Marshall is better as a freshman than Ness was as a junior. I recall there being a couple folks who thought he was going to be sorely missed this year. Not so much.

[ScoobyDoo]

Marshall is better as a freshman than Ness was as a junior. I recall there being a couple folks who thought he was going to be sorely missed this year. Not so much.

It was never about Marshall. It was about whoever the last defensive pairing was and whether it would be better to have Ness for more depth. Fact is if Parenteau is really the 6th defensemen then, yeah, you're right. Ness isn't missed that much.

[streakygopher]

My take on Forbort is that he does not play with a lot of confidence, especially with the puck. Compare him to Schmidt this season versus last and Marshall as a freshman. Also, I agree that expecting him to play both sides of the rink is like asking Kent Hrbek or Joe Mauer to hit home runs.

Speaking of Marshall, he is this year what I thought Ness was going to be.

Not to derail the thread, but where is there a comparison whatsoever between Joe Mauer and Kent Hrbek re: their homerun hitting ability? Hrbek had 10 seasons of hitting 20+ or more home runs.

Marshall is better as a freshman than Ness was as a junior. I recall there being a couple folks who thought he was going to be sorely missed this year. Not so much.

I suppose you're one of the folks who predicted that Marshall would play like an upperclassman and that as Sophomores Schmidt and Parenteau would rocket to the top of their games? Not so much

I think that Hrbek hitting for average cost him a bunch of homers in his career. Don't care to bother with a discussion about what or if it made any difference or whether or not it he should or shouldn't have been used in that way. Considering who he had hitting around him, probably okay that he was a 250 pound slapper.

[Iceburg]

"Brady Skjei transfers Minnesota high school hockey success to the NTDP"

[Hammy]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

[ND GOPHER]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

Glad they decided to move him. Didnt benefit anyone but GB to keep him. Its a tough spot for USHL teams.... better your team or do whats best for player development?

[Davey J.]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

The more shots he faces the better for his long-term development.

[Snowcool08]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

The more shots he faces the better for his long-term development.

I agree. As long as he's facing more shots and getting more experience, I could care less about his stats. The talent is there and just needs more opportunities.

[LeoPohl]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

Glad they decided to move him. Didnt benefit anyone but GB to keep him. Its a tough spot for USHL teams.... better your team or do whats best for player development?

What makes you think they don't think it's not the best for the team? They had two goalies who were going to be gone next season. This way they still have an outstanding goaltender and they get a first round pick out of the deal. If they keep him, they get nothing. Barring an injury to Miami bound Ryan McKay, it's hard to imagine another goaltender meaning much more than five points to the team this season. The first round pick in next year's entry draft may give the team ten more points next year. How is this a case of player development and team success being mutually exclusive?

[ND GOPHER]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

Glad they decided to move him. Didnt benefit anyone but GB to keep him. Its a tough spot for USHL teams.... better your team or do whats best for player development?

What makes you think they don't think it's not the best for the team? They had two goalies who were going to be gone next season. This way they still have an outstanding goaltender and they get a first round pick out of the deal. If they keep him, they get nothing. Barring an injury to Miami bound Ryan McKay, it's hard to imagine another goaltender meaning much more than five points to the team this season. The first round pick in next year's entry draft may give the team ten more points next year. How is this a case of player development and team success being mutually exclusive?

GB leads the league and could have easily decided to keep their platoon, which worked well for them for last season and up to this point. However at some point they needed to do whats best for the players, no matter the benefit to Green Bay. I hope they broke it up out of courtesy to both McKay and Wilcox. I guess we wont know until it plays out, maybe Tri-City and Green Bay will play for the Cup...

[LeoPohl]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

Glad they decided to move him. Didnt benefit anyone but GB to keep him. Its a tough spot for USHL teams.... better your team or do whats best for player development?

What makes you think they don't think it's not the best for the team? They had two goalies who were going to be gone next season. This way they still have an outstanding goaltender and they get a first round pick out of the deal. If they keep him, they get nothing. Barring an injury to Miami bound Ryan McKay, it's hard to imagine another goaltender meaning much more than five points to the team this season. The first round pick in next year's entry draft may give the team ten more points next year. How is this a case of player development and team success being mutually exclusive?

GB leads the league and could have easily decided to keep their platoon, which worked well for them for last season and up to this point. However at some point they needed to do whats best for the players, no matter the benefit to Green Bay. I hope they broke it up out of courtesy to both McKay and Wilcox. I guess we wont know until it plays out, maybe Tri-City and Green Bay will play for the Cup...

I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying it's not like they just gave him away. Both goalies will likely be gone after this season, and they have a capable back-up, so it's very likely they could be better off in the long run. There are moves like this made all the time in the pros, so I don't know why it should surprise anyone when it happens in juniors. Like I said, barring an injury to McKay, they're really not losing much here, in my mind.

[frozen4champs]

Wilcox is getting traded from Green Bay to Tri City for a 1st round pick. He'll likely start full time for Tri City as opposed to splitting starts at GB so hopefully it will help him get more prepared for college. I would imagine his stats will take a bit of a hit though as Tri City is not as good defensively. I guess we'll see though.

Glad they decided to move him. Didnt benefit anyone but GB to keep him. Its a tough spot for USHL teams.... better your team or do whats best for player development?

What makes you think they don't think it's not the best for the team? They had two goalies who were going to be gone next season. This way they still have an outstanding goaltender and they get a first round pick out of the deal. If they keep him, they get nothing. Barring an injury to Miami bound Ryan McKay, it's hard to imagine another goaltender meaning much more than five points to the team this season. The first round pick in next year's entry draft may give the team ten more points next year. How is this a case of player development and team success being mutually exclusive?

GB leads the league and could have easily decided to keep their platoon, which worked well for them for last season and up to this point. However at some point they needed to do whats best for the players, no matter the benefit to Green Bay. I hope they broke it up out of courtesy to both McKay and Wilcox. I guess we wont know until it plays out, maybe Tri-City and Green Bay will play for the Cup...

I doubt if they will meet for the Cup. Tri City is BAD, and I mean REALLY BAD. Goaltending isn't their only isuue. They have scored the 2nd fewest goals in the league. It's good for Wilcox to get more action though.

[LeoPohl]

Read

[Feisty Golden Rodents]

Cammarata moved up to 2nd in the USHL overall scoring. Impressive for a 16 year old.

GP G A PTS
Cammarata, Taylor 16 11 10 21

[Iceburg]

"Name recognition"

[streakygopher]

In the article cited above, Nanne makes this comment, which he has told me personally before:

“I will tell them this: Playing in high school will not hold you back from your long-term goals. If they are good enough to play pro someday, that won’t change because they played another year of high school hockey.”

I have always felt this way, and it is the reason I think kids should stay in high school for the experience and in college as long as they can for the experience. Bjugstad is a good example. He has had a meteoric rise from his freshman to sophomore seasons. Will he play in the NHL? Almost certainly...but the NHL will be there the year after too and if he likes college life he could stay one more year and enjoy that experience he will never ever get back again.

[Bertogliat]

In the article cited above, Nanne makes this comment, which he has told me personally before:

“I will tell them this: Playing in high school will not hold you back from your long-term goals. If they are good enough to play pro someday, that won’t change because they played another year of high school hockey.”

I have always felt this way, and it is the reason I think kids should stay in high school for the experience and in college as long as they can for the experience. Bjugstad is a good example. He has had a meteoric rise from his freshman to sophomore seasons. Will he play in the NHL? Almost certainly...but the NHL will be there the year after too and if he likes college life he could stay one more year and enjoy that experience he will never ever get back again.

Your name isn't Danny Irmen, is it?

[Hammy]

While I suppose he could always go back and change his mind (a la Kyle Rau), Lettieri told me last month that he was planning on playing in the USHL his senior year.

[ScoobyDoo]

Being someone who didn't experience High School or College I couldn't agree with Mr. Nanne more. Don't be in a big hurry to grow up, there's plenty of time for that and it's not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

[frozen4champs]

Cammarata named USHL player of the week.

http://www.ushl.com/news.php?news_id=473

[MhdGopher]

While I suppose he could always go back and change his mind (a la Kyle Rau), Lettieri told me last month that he was planning on playing in the USHL his senior year.

I really had kind of forgotten about Rau's "almost" departure to the USHL. Certainly can't speak for him, but I can't imagine he could have had anywhere near as much fun playing in the USHL last year as he did playing his high school season, the way it played out.

[hrbekroenick]

My take on Forbort is that he does not play with a lot of confidence, especially with the puck. Compare him to Schmidt this season versus last and Marshall as a freshman. Also, I agree that expecting him to play both sides of the rink is like asking Kent Hrbek or Joe Mauer to hit home runs.

Speaking of Marshall, he is this year what I thought Ness was going to be.

I should kick your arse for that! After I eat dessert.

[george]

Being someone who didn't experience High School or College I couldn't agree with Mr. Nanne more. Don't be in a big hurry to grow up, there's plenty of time for that and it's not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

Were you in juvie that whole time?

[ScoobyDoo]

Being someone who didn't experience High School or College I couldn't agree with Mr. Nanne more. Don't be in a big hurry to grow up, there's plenty of time for that and it's not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

Were you in juvie that whole time?

No, no juvie. Kind of difficult to explain, but I think I have the requisite knowledge to post the assertion.

[Iceburg]

Recent Penticton highlights

[WestCoastGopherGuy]

are the kids on the u17 team basically grandfathered into the u18 team? what are the chances cammarata gets an spot on that team next year? he is clearly good enough and it would do him good to get some work against ncaa teams next year and really hit the ground running his freshman year at the U.

Dave

[BlueBandit24]

are the kids on the u17 team basically grandfathered into the u18 team? what are the chances cammarata gets an spot on that team next year? he is clearly good enough and it would do him good to get some work against ncaa teams next year and really hit the ground running his freshman year at the U.

Dave

There seems to always be a kid or two who is added after the season, but most of the U-17 team moves on to the U-18's, and the only ones who don't are those who elect to go to Canadian Juniors or are kicked off for bad behavior. I don't really think being in the USHL or at the NTDP makes a big difference for Cammarata. He should be able to produce early in his career regardless.

[Hammy]

I won't claim to know what his decision might be if he was put in that spot. But I personally find a little satisfaction every time a MN kid tells the NTDP to shove it.

[streakygopher]

I won't claim to know what his decision might be if he was put in that spot. But I personally find a little satisfaction every time a MN kid tells the NTPD to shove it.

Me too! On a selfish note, I would not let my kid go anywhere until he graduates high school...I took my job of raising my kids very seriously, and no way I let them go as a 15-year-old. No, I do not have a division I athlete as a child; however, if I did I know with 100% certainty my answer would be, "no thank you."

Hey, any G2 on the Merchant kid? It appears he's uncommitted, yet highly thought of.

[Hammy]

Hey, any G2 on the Merchant kid? It appears he's uncommitted, yet highly thought of.

I know we're watching him with interest. Haven't heard much more than that recently.

[LeoPohl]

Recent Penticton highlights

Minnesota players scored the first four goals in that game and assisted on the remaining five.
Penticton is blowing the BCHL away, currently at 22-3-0-2 and 12 points ahead of anyone else in the league, on the backs of Minnesotans. The offense is scoring 5.41 goals per game; the next highest is Victoria at 3.93.
Connor Reilly is leading the league in scoring with 51 points. Mario Lucia is tied for third in league scoring, and Joey Benik and Steven Fogarty are right behind. Mike Reilly trails the league lead in scoring by a d-man by one, but has played in two fewer games than the leader.
Minnesota is doing quite well in that regard-both the state and the University.

Anyone else think they'll be looking to Minnesota for future players after this season?