Re: UNH Recruits - 2011 & 2012
Re: UNH Recruits - 2011 & 2012
Jersey Hitman play a couple games at Monarchs in Hookset this Saturday and Sunday. The two teams have but 4 losses between them in 67 games. A good chance for a look-see at several 2011 or 2012 UNH recruits.
Thanks for the tip DaveDan. I saw the afternoon game today and it was a treat. The Jr. Monarchs
won in overtime 3-2. All three UNH recruits were prominent players.
Trevor van Riemsdyk - If you haven't had an opportunity to watch the younger brother of JvR play, do yourself a favor and take in a Jr. Monarch's game - he is truly impressive. His frame and mannerisms are like a right-handed version of JvR. On a number of occasions, he carried the puck through center ice and got a shot on net. In one particular sequence, he blocked the puck with his skate on his own blue line, rushed through the neutral zone, got deep into the left circle and snapped off a quick wrister that tested the Hitmen's goalie. His wrist shot is noteworthy and accurate, even from the blueline. His powerplay goal in the second period was a wrister from the top of the slot, between the two faceoff circles.
TvR plays on the first powerplay unit and often positions himself at the point just inside the middle of the blueline (a la Kessel). He is poised with the puck (doesn't hurry), a terrific passer, and he can really fly once he hits his stride (again, a lot like JvR). That goes for back-skating as well. On one Monarchs' powerplay, two Hitmen snuck the puck out of their zone and TvR was the only Monarch back. He kept ahead of both the guys and ended up blocking a centering pass with a sprawling, leg swipe, in front of goalie Brian Billett (a BC recruit). He also logs time on the penalty kill unit. Perhaps owing to his position as a defenseman, he's not shy about banging the opponent into the boards when it's called for. To this untrained eye, TvR looks like he is clearly ready to make the move to college hockey next season.
Ryan Randall - At 6'0", 195 lbs., Randall is also a poised defenseman. On many shifts, he was paired with TvR and they both logged a lot of icetime. As a converted forward (I think last season) he reminds me of Kevin Kapstad, only bigger. Randall handles the puck well, is a good passer (13 assists in 30 games) and quick skater. He's also strong in the corners. On the power play, Randall split time with Maine recruit, Jacob Rutt, while TvR was always on the first unit.
Matt Willows - The most recent UNH recruit is Captain of the North Jersey Hitmen. In many respects, Willows is similar to a younger John Henrion. At 5'10", 185 lbs, he is sturdy and hard to bang off the puck. He looks like a natural goal scorer (again, like Henrion) with 23 goals in 35 games. He primarily plays on right wing though he took the faceoffs on the first penalty kill unit. He also is a key player on the Hitmens' first powerplay unit. During one powerplay, Willows handled the puck around the top of the faceoff circle (a la Sislo) and got off a quick slapper that tested Billett.
On this day, the Tri Town Arena was the site of a UNH Hockey reunion, of sorts. Both Coaches Umile and Borek were in attendance. JvR, together with Paul Thompson, Phil DeSimone, and Stevie Moses were in the stands cheering for the Jr. Monarchs. Also, the very tall and distinguished-looking Mr. van Riemsdyk was present along with his UNH Hockey ski hat. All in all, a good day for New Hampshire hockey.
A pretty good argument could be made that Dan Correale is ready to make the jump next year.