Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

[grantfan]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

And you were correct.

 

[Koho]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

Chris Hickey (drafted by Minnesota in '06) might be another example. I don't remember when he committed to UW.

So there are more examples of this than I thought (and that's even when I discount Weircioch as being a different story). I still wonder how many drafted college players were drafted before they committed. Even if we name a dozen more, the percentage still has to be pretty low, don't you think?

Yes, but there is a big difference between getting a commitment from a player who is ranked to be taken in the top few rounds and therefore, even though they aren't drafted until after the commitment, are pretty much assured they will be, and players who are way down on the scouting lists or not on them and therefore unlikely to be drafted. My guess is that is more the situation referred to in the quote. There are a lot of players committing who, even though they haven't officially been drafted, I'd bet my house on their being drafted.

 

[Slap Shot]

Do that many undrafted players leave early due to a pro signing?

 

[observer85]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

Do that many undrafted players leave early due to a pro signing?

Probably more than one thinks. Just the kids with Minnesota hometowns in the past 3 years would be:

Jack Hillen - Colorado College - New York Islanders
Stu Bickel - Minnesota - Anaheim Ducks
Brian Connelly - Colorado College - Chicago Blackhawks
Trevor Bruess - Minnesota State - Washington Capitals
Danny Sexton - Bowling Green - Anaheim Ducks

There are probably more.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

Probably more than one thinks. Just the kids with Minnesota hometowns in the past 3 years would be:

Jack Hillen - Colorado College - New York Islanders
Stu Bickel - Minnesota - Anaheim Ducks
Brian Connelly - Colorado College - Chicago Blackhawks
Trevor Bruess - Minnesota State - Washington Capitals
Danny Sexton - Bowling Green - Anaheim Ducks

There are probably more.

But is it enough of an occurrence to regularly put a coach in a tough spot decision wise?

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

At UW, John Mitchell has been getting offers in each of the last two offseasons, and that's been part of the over-recruiting at forward for this season because we didn't know he'd be back.

We lost Joe Piskula in 2006 to a free agent deal.

That's all I can think of for now for the past few years at UW.

 

[Goon]

Re: Recruiting Drafted Players vs Free Agents

Ran across an interesting quote in the Denver Post from DU assistant coach Derek Lalonde:

“In this new era of the CBA, when it doesn’t cost much to sign a free agent, we want guys drafted so we can work with the team that has their rights,” DU assistant coach Derek Lalonde told me. “If Tyler Bozak was drafted, which he should have been, he might have been playing another year at the University of Denver, instead of being lured by the highest bidder. NHL teams have been good to drafted college players. They let them develop. Lot of time in the weight room.”

I dunno, Tyler Bozak is a pretty complete player. Just think of the stats he would have put up this past season had he not been hurt. Also, even at like 80-90 percent he was the best player on the ice for DU last year against Miami.