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Wisconsin Hockey 2024 Offseason

WiscTJK said:
Sam Stange to Omaha. Good luck to him. https://*****/OmahaHKY/status/1780339254092075018

And Cruz to ASU: https://*****/SunDevilHockey/status/1780304698253418706
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Yes, I hope Stange had a great season on UNO. Urdahl did well there last year

Cruz to ASU is a head-scratcher.

Some of the guys leaving could be about academics. I wonder if that was Jugnauth's deal leaving when he did ending up where he did. His other option would have been to finish out the season and transfer to another D1 school.
 
As of now, only real consequential decision is on where Whitelaw goes, if he transfers. With Cruz going to ASU, I wonder the level of NIL money thrown at him by ASU, as its not as if ASU is teaming with nationally known athletes right now....and Cruz going there clearly ups the profile of their program. There was some chatyer that wherever he goes, its a bit of a circus.

Two things on my mind with NIL...esp with Hepburn and Storr leaving bball. What the hell is WI doing wrong with their NIL program? Clearly its a negative flr them and the word is out. From what I know, the NIL prgm is tightly controlled by the Athletic Dept and theyve instituted a bunch of rules that are burdensome and not conducive to attracting anyone high profile. I could be wrong but it sure looks that way.

2nd...how does this impact Hastings and the hockey program? Hastings is a hard nosed work ethic 200ft coach that demands a lot from his players. I trust him and his process, but dles that process work in the current landscape? Dles a high flying potent F or C who stays more than one year even entertain WI if they dont open the checkbook?

Heady times we live in. Tough to compete with MI, MN, OSU, PSU not to mention BC Nodak & Denver for top flighters.
 
Three things:

One: None of these players left the program or where they will transfer to is determined by academic status. To imply that is the case is wildly inappropriate.

Two: NIL isn’t a major factor in the departures from the program or where the players end up. Right now, NIL isn’t a major factor in Hockey compared to Basketball or Football.

Three: the depth of talent in college hockey is growing every year and the changes are still in flux. I’m not concerned about Hastings and staff getting and retaining the right players for their system to be successful. That may not be the very top talent available, but a group of players playing as a team, going out and trying to win each shift is going to beat more talented teams on paper on a regular basis.
 
Scott Wheeler on Logan Hensler https://theathletic.com/5326417/2024/03/18/nhl-draft-top-prospects-2025-james-hagens/

Hensler, who because of his October birthday has already played his two years at the program, has consistently impressed me with USA Hockey. He’s a player with real quality who just looks like he has it — like he’s going to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL for a long time. He’s got pro size. He’s a smooth skater with good edges and balanced posture on his heels and toes, and he uses it confidently to play strong stick-on-puck gaps and carry and lead in transition. He’s got poise and comfort in all three zones and all four corners of the ice. His head is always up. His level is consistent. He reads the play well and has good instincts on the ice. And he’s got skill and offense, even if it’s not the highlight-reel type. He's a righty. He looks to me like he’s going to be a really good two-way defenseman.
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Almington said:
Three things:

One: None of these players left the program or where they will transfer to is determined by academic status. To imply that is the case is wildly inappropriate.

Two: NIL isn’t a major factor in the departures from the program or where the players end up. Right now, NIL isn’t a major factor in Hockey compared to Basketball or Football.

Three: the depth of talent in college hockey is growing every year and the changes are still in flux. I’m not concerned about Hastings and staff getting and retaining the right players for their system to be successful. That may not be the very top talent available, but a group of players playing as a team, going out and trying to win each shift is going to beat more talented teams on paper on a regular basis.
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I agree Hastings will have success.

There are talented players who also work hard on both end of the ice, etc. It is not a zero sum basis, where it is one (hard worker) or the other (talented guy).

What I would really like is if Hastings turned those talented players, and the less talented ones, into the type of team that works in his system/philosophy. I assume that is Hastings long term goal with Wisconsin. Maybe he has to get them young first to be able to mold them.
 
After having watched all the portal movements, while NIL money may not have much influence, the portal is a direct result of that. Cpuple observations:

1) High skill guys that are young or were drafted bc of offense....if they arent getting the pts they think they should, they are clearly going to more G production oriented coaches. Not a portal in Fink, but this clearly applies to him, Whitelaw, Lusious, and Stramel

2) Goalies are moving to high profile G schools. I think this is absolutely the case with Scarfone and Soulaire who are trying to increase their profiles.

3) High end guys really only care about getting to the NHL. Chasing a Natl Champ really means little to them.
 
digitalbooya said:
https://twitter.com/badgermhockey/status/1788298864170082698?s=46&t=ifZBfg8uEraP-bFzu2jk4w

Cody Laskosky to the badgers. 14 goals 41 points last year for RIT.
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5th year guy, assistant C last season, scoring improved all 4 years at RIT 4, 11, 28, 41. 23/24 all conference. 22/23 defensive F of the year. Scored 7 ppg's last year, scored 13 and 14 goals the last 2 years. Had a hatty in 23/24 and 22/23, could be a streaky scorer. RIT did make the ncaa's last year, so he's got that experience under his belt.
 
Timothy A said:
5th year guy, assistant C last season, scoring improved all 4 years at RIT 4, 11, 28, 41. 23/24 all conference. 22/23 defensive F of the year. Scored 7 ppg's last year, scored 13 and 14 goals the last 2 years. Had a hatty in 23/24 and 22/23, could be a streaky scorer. RIT did make the ncaa's last year, so he's got that experience under his belt.
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Really like this addition. Definitely eases the “who is going to score for us?” question after so many players moved on.

His 41 points last year had him tied with Carter Wilkie for most in the transfer portal. I know we were in on both. Would have been crazy if we got both of them.
 
Weston Knox, a 6-1 185 lefty D, has also committed. He's the C of the Minot Minotauros of the North American Hockey League. In 2 years there he averaged 23 pts a season over about 50 games per season. Played MN HS hockey for Andover for 3 years prior to heading to Minot.
 
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