I agree. I want to be selfish and assume that Petry and Troop will both be around next season, however I am generally not that lucky of a guy. I like our roster if they do return. If they dont then I have very serious concerns about leadership...I know we will have guys with seasons under their belts, but I am not sure they are the "speak through the way you play" type of guys like Petry and Tropp.
Michigan State's one of 6 teams interested in J.T. Miller, a 6'1 190# left winger from East Palestine, Ohio playing for USNTDP-U17. He's a '93 and would be a 2011 recruit. Through 20 games he had 8 points for team USA. He was picked in the 5th round by OHL Plymouth Whalers.
On terms of leadership if Tropp and or Petry leave, I would think Rowe or even Gazely would be a decent replacement. This would be if one of them left... Hopefully neither will
Comley indicated there will be one more Letter of Intent signed for 2010. There are currently four eligible 2010 recruits who have given verbal commitments. One (Gunn) probably won't be ready until 2011. That leaves forwards Brent Darnell (Sioux Falls), Andrew Sinelli (Sioux City) and David Johnstone (Indiana). My bet is on Darnell - a pure centerman and Michigan Mr. Hockey consideration in 2008 for Detroit Catholic Central. He, along with Sinelli, appear to be the most ready for D1 but as we're graduating a full-time center in Sucharski, I think he's the one.
Added 3/17/10:
State News opined that Andrew Rowe is highly unlikely to jump to the pros. This leaves Tropp as the only likely non-senior forward to look at an offer. If Tropp takes an offer, it'll be easier to attract another scholarship player - the 3rd for 2010 is forthcoming - his opening would make 4.
2010 rookie Lee Reimer F Canmore (AJHL) finished the 2009/10 regular season with a 59 33 44 77 line, good for 10th in the league.
Tied for 5th in power play goals (11),
Tied for 2nd in shorthanded goals (4),
8th in goals (33) and 10th in assists (44)
He also led his own team in scoring.
He has 8 points in 6 games in the Enerflex Cup playoffs.
Now about the other LOI, netminder Willie Yanakeff ...
I've wondered about Yanakeff's declining numbers over the course of the season for Sioux Falls (now with Waterloo) until I was reassured after reading this from Rivals:
"Willie was bothered by a nagging hip injury, which cropped up while he was in Sioux City. He took several weeks off, before and after the trade, to let it heal and get looked at by a specialist."
That's a quote from Waterloo PR. Here's to a completely clean bill of health by September.
First chance to talk about a 94.
He's goalie Jared Rutledge, 6'0 155# from Skokie, IL, playing for Chicago Young Americans midget minor. He'll try out for NTDP this year.
Right now he's favoring MSU, but we may have to contend with North Dakota and Wisconsin.
He would part of a 2012 incoming class.
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