Don't want to put words in anyone's mouth. But if anyone is suggesting that the Buckeyes are going to consistently out-recruit the Gophers for Women's Hockey talent in Minnesota, that's just silly talk. Ohio State needs to recruit throughout the hockey world, and will continue to do so. At the same time, getting "more than our fair share" of the top talent from MN is very doable, especially with Coach Muzz.
Also keep in mind that assistant coaches do a lot of the recruiting, and our assistants are well connected in MN.
Just stating the obvious, but we're going to have a better shot with kids who are already interested in going away to school. We have a brand name Department of Athletics, and a comprehensive world class University to offer. An opportunity to go to Ohio State should be extremely tempting to any athlete in this category.
If you mean players that grew up watching Nadine play for the Gophers, that's already happened. Enough years have gone by. If you mean players that grew up watching her coach for the Gophers, OK: That "generational replacement" may be starting.
But relationships with high school coaches can be long term. If a high school coach respects an out-of-state program, that coach's players may very well give you a more serious look.
Perhaps most important of all is simply having a comfort level with the territory. When you have tons of places and people in common with a recruit, that gets your foot in the door. You have the knowledge; you speak the language. Of course you have to do a lot more to close the deal. But her MN ties give Coach Muzzerall a resource that won't fade.