Really like the idea of posting info about your team's recruits, here is the scoop on NU's incoming class:
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan Renz 6'2 210: Highly touted recruit, NoDak and Miami were on him, very big, young and talented. A defensive defensemen, he didn't do much offensively in the two teams he played for this year in the BCHL, but he is highly regarded and should be drafted this summer, ranked as one of the top 10 defensemen from western juniors leagues (LINK:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/post.htm?id=582 ). Should step right in on our blueline, replacing Hewkin or knocking out Ellement.
Ben Oskroba 6'5 215: Really tall, really big defenseman who racked up all sorts of penalty minutes in Lincoln this year. Originally the Q was going to bring him in, then we got on him and he decided to join NU. Seems like more of a project, not expecting him to get much playing time, he does have size but doesn't seem to know how to use it effectively given all the time in the sin bin. No draft ranking, not expecting much from him this year.
Garret Haar 6'0 180: Highly regarded defenseman who had a very respectable year with Fargo, coming in this year because of the $ freed up from Jake Newton leaving after 2009-2010. He was listed as one of the USHL's top 10 draft prospects for the coming draft (LINK:
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12626/top10_nhl_drafteligible_ushl_prospects_for2011/). Arguably our best defensive recruit, him and Renz should step right in and contribute right away. Looking for him to have a year similar to Eibler this year, shaky beginning, then demonstrating solid defensive skills and offensive contributions as he acclimates to HE. One of our best in coming recruits.
FORWARDS
Ludwig Karlsson 6'2 200: Big forward who had an OK year with the Green Bay Gamblers, his size and skill has him on some draft boards late, he will probably fill in our 3rd or 4th line, not too much offensive production but with his size he should find time. Not one of the top forwards on the team, hard to find much recent scouting info on the guy, scouts a few years ago said he tried to play more of a finesse game but didnt have the puck handling ability, hopefully he has started playing like a power forward.
Adam Reid 6'3 185: Another big forward, battled injuries on the USA U18 team this year. Many feel that he hasn't reached his full potential yet and is still trying to play within his frame, although he is considered a strong skater, hopefully he bosoms at NU but seems to be more of a project, should see playing time though. Considered a high character guy, he should fight for ice time and hopefully start to contribute in the latter part of the season.
Justin Covacs 5'10 173: Small point per game player in the USHL, late addition as the year previous to this one he didn't do much, but this year he has become a play making center (42 A) for cedar rapids, he's going to come in as a 20 year old freshman (birthday in Oct 1991), hopefully he will be the play making center that we really haven't had since Vitale, we have a lot of talented forwards who if they had a play maker in the middle could really excel. One of the top scorers on a very good Cedar Rapids team, will be interesting to see if he was the product of the talent around him or if he is the play maker his stats say he is.
In conclusion, we have good defensemen coming in who should sure up our blueline with some big forwards and hopefully a play making center, Cronin usually gets a freshman to get to 20-25 points, hopefully that trend continues as it looks like there is a good amount of talent coming to Huntington Ave next year.
If anyone has any more insight to NU recruits, post below and I'll add, just posted some tid bits on the recruits, also John Gaudreau (STUD) might be coming in next year with Brodie Reid bouncing, once that is confirmed I'll add him, he would be our best guy coming in next year.