Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14
Lakerblue...............it is my understanding that "one and done" schools, and Michigan quickly comes to mind, play "true freshman" as they plan on playing one, if not two years of college before heading off to
the NHL. From my experience, colleges that take players for Midgets/high school hockey without stopping for at least one year of Juniors, aren't doing the student/athlete any favors. A good example from Laker
history is Mike Vigilantte, who came to the Soo as a true freshman directly from the Little Caesars Midget Major AAA team. The only reason he came to the Lakers that early is that we were faced with matching Bowling Green's offer. They were blowing smoke at "Vig's" dad that he was ready for D1 hockey. He wasn't close. It took Mike until his Junior year to catch up to where he should have been if he had played
Juniors. This difficult situation was caused by the Little Caesars Midgets not being taught systems but used raw talent to promote swarm hockey. I heard this directly from college coaches working USA Hockey
camps in Colorado Springs when Matt appeared wearing orange & baby blue gloves. My opinion (and I usually have one) is that if there is any question, play Junior "A" and come in as a 20 year old atudent/athlete.
Lakerblue...............it is my understanding that "one and done" schools, and Michigan quickly comes to mind, play "true freshman" as they plan on playing one, if not two years of college before heading off to
the NHL. From my experience, colleges that take players for Midgets/high school hockey without stopping for at least one year of Juniors, aren't doing the student/athlete any favors. A good example from Laker
history is Mike Vigilantte, who came to the Soo as a true freshman directly from the Little Caesars Midget Major AAA team. The only reason he came to the Lakers that early is that we were faced with matching Bowling Green's offer. They were blowing smoke at "Vig's" dad that he was ready for D1 hockey. He wasn't close. It took Mike until his Junior year to catch up to where he should have been if he had played
Juniors. This difficult situation was caused by the Little Caesars Midgets not being taught systems but used raw talent to promote swarm hockey. I heard this directly from college coaches working USA Hockey
camps in Colorado Springs when Matt appeared wearing orange & baby blue gloves. My opinion (and I usually have one) is that if there is any question, play Junior "A" and come in as a 20 year old atudent/athlete.