What's new
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

I understand that, the need for a team to have 8 D on the roster, and the numbers game wrt playtime.

While I can understand the desire to focus on class, I have to wonder if the issue is that he was just having a hard time adjusting to the demands of college hockey and discoraged by being a healthy scratch for the first time. I guess that I wouldn't be shocked to see him end up on a USHL roster next season.

Edit: Deleted my earlier comment.

I interviewed Daly for the website to get his reaction, he seemed sincere that this move is to focus on furthering his academic career. He has no desire to play competitive hockey in the future.

LINK.
 
Last edited:
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

It also wouldn't be the first time that Eaves has suggested that a player 'focus on his academics.' Not saying that's the case here, but we don't have wool over our eyes either.

Which is part of the reason I wouldn't be surprised to see him on a USHL roster. If I was the GM for the team with his rights I'd be in semi-regular contact with him about his plans and let him know that he'd have a spot if he wanted one.

If he has really lost the passion for playing the game, I wish him all the best with his academics and in his future.
 
Last edited:
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

I know it's only 2 days after the Badgers season ended but I can't stop thinking about what team we are going to put on the ice next year. I sincerely believe we could and should be a NCAA tournament team next year with returning skill and new top of the line skill coming in. So that being said here are my line combinations for next year. Remember really early.

Kerdiles-Zengerle-Barnes. Lots of offense in this line.
R. Little-Lee-Mersch. Scoring capabilties.
Woods-Zulinick-LaBate. Scoring and some energy.
S. Little-Dahl-Meuer. Energy line, forechecking line.

Lapic-Hartzog-Paape-Navin. Will be in line up throughout year.
Clark is said to have some pretty serious injuries so I didn't know where to put him.

Simonelli-Ramage. Easily top D line.
McCabe-Wittchow. Solid D pair.
Faust-Schulze. Underdogs.
Drake. In street clothes.

And in goal. I believe Rumpel solidified that he is a good goalie at the end of the year. SO
Rumpel
Peterson
Thompson

Feel free to comment, don't be to harsh haha.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

That's as good a guess as any. I suppose now that I see the full lineup, I think it's perfectly reasonable to think that we could move Ryan Little back to D in a pinch if injuries make it difficult to only have 7 defensemen on the roster.

Failing that, I'm sure I still have all of my eligibility. (The only question is can I skate better than a traffic cone?)
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

That's as good a guess as any. I suppose now that I see the full lineup, I think it's perfectly reasonable to think that we could move Ryan Little back to D in a pinch if injuries make it difficult to only have 7 defensemen on the roster.

Failing that, I'm sure I still have all of my eligibility. (The only question is can I skate better than a traffic cone?)

I'm not sure that you still have eligibility left: Five-Year Rule: You are not eligible if five calendar years have passed from the date you first registered as a full-time student at college and attended the first day of classes for that term, except for the time spent in the armed services on official church missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. Government. (Bylaw 14.2.1)

It's nice to have an even number of D for practices (particularly early in the season when everyone is getting settled and before nagging injuries start causing players to miss practices)
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

That's as good a guess as any. I suppose now that I see the full lineup, I think it's perfectly reasonable to think that we could move Ryan Little back to D in a pinch if injuries make it difficult to only have 7 defensemen on the roster.

Failing that, I'm sure I still have all of my eligibility. (The only question is can I skate better than a traffic cone?)

Where were you when Kyle Klubertanz was out there giving up short handed goals w/ abandon several years back? You could have done that.

Very surprised by the Daly thing, but I wish the kid the best. Like Almington, I could see him on an USHL roster come September, even if he is sincere about school. I was looking forward to him playing a lot next season though. As much as I like Ryan Little at forward, him moving back to D for one season would open up one forward spot while keeping, as Justin Schultz put it, the "heart of the team" out on the ice and contributing positively.

Does anyone think Ramage will really leave? Or Mersch? Or is Baggot just stirring the pot, as Timothy A said the other day? I know anyone "could" leave, but I just don't see it happening. Mersch could spend another year playing major minutes at UW or ride a bus in the minors, same w/ Ramage. And I think Ramage has something to prove after a very disappointing season. Mersch really improved as the season proceeded, but he still has room to grow. His skating is way better than his freshman season, but still woeful compared to some teammates.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Does anyone think Ramage will really leave? Or Mersch? Or is Baggot just stirring the pot, as Timothy A said the other day? I know anyone "could" leave, but I just don't see it happening. Mersch could spend another year playing major minutes at UW or ride a bus in the minors, same w/ Ramage. And I think Ramage has something to prove after a very disappointing season. Mersch really improved as the season proceeded, but he still has room to grow. His skating is way better than his freshman season, but still woeful compared to some teammates.

Did I miss something? The only player I've heard Baggot mention besides Schultz and Zengerle was Ramage. I haven't seen Mersch's name yet, but it could have slipped my radar.

Anyways, I don't think that Baggot is trying to stir the pot, he's just presenting possibilities. It's his job to inform the masses, and that's what he's doing.

I didn't have a problem with his Zengerle article either. These kids aren't affected by a newspaper reporter asking them about their futures.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Seth Jones is still available lol.

That would be nice. lol Would Joe Fiala the kid from Verona be an option? Probably just a depth player to start and might not require a huge scholarship commitment.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Did I miss something? The only player I've heard Baggot mention besides Schultz and Zengerle was Ramage. I haven't seen Mersch's name yet, but it could have slipped my radar.

Anyways, I don't think that Baggot is trying to stir the pot, he's just presenting possibilities. It's his job to inform the masses, and that's what he's doing.

I didn't have a problem with his Zengerle article either. These kids aren't affected by a newspaper reporter asking them about their futures.

Unless I'm delusional, which is possible, he mentioned Mersch in his Daly article today. Simply, LA owes Mersch's rights, Mersch had a good season = possible flight risk.

Is Baggot doing his job when he doesn't give credit for his stories when others broke them?
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Unless I'm delusional, which is possible, he mentioned Mersch in his Daly article today. Simply, LA owes Mersch's rights, Mersch had a good season = possible flight risk.

Is Baggot doing his job when he doesn't give credit for his stories when others broke them?

I don't see Mersch's name in the online article, but I might be blind...or losing my mind. Both are possible.

As for the second part, ...I'll choose not to comment.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

I don't see Mersch's name in the online article, but I might be blind...or losing my mind. Both are possible.

As for the second part, ...I'll choose not to comment.
It's there, albeit fleetingly mentioned.
Meanwhile, all signs point to Schultz, an All-American who became the first defenseman in program history to lead the team in goals with 16, bypassing his senior season for the NHL. Junior defenseman and captain John Ramage is another flight risk, while sophomore winger Michael Mersch may be on the bubble. Anaheim, Calgary and Los Angeles own their NHL rights, respectively.

http://host.madison.com/sports/coll...d67-11e1-9286-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1p6kQCCHu
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

I don't see Mersch's name in the online article, but I might be blind...or losing my mind. Both are possible.

As for the second part, ...I'll choose not to comment.

Mersch was mentioned in the home delivery edition this morning by AB.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Unless I'm delusional, which is possible, he mentioned Mersch in his Daly article today. Simply, LA owes Mersch's rights, Mersch had a good season = possible flight risk.

Any player who has been drafted is to some degree a flight risk, as they can be nudged to leave by the NHL organization. That said, I don't think that any of the sophomores or freshmen are likely flight risks.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

Does anyone think Ramage will really leave? Or Mersch? Or is Baggot just stirring the pot, as Timothy A said the other day? I know anyone "could" leave, but I just don't see it happening. Mersch could spend another year playing major minutes at UW or ride a bus in the minors, same w/ Ramage. And I think Ramage has something to prove after a very disappointing season. Mersch really improved as the season proceeded, but he still has room to grow. His skating is way better than his freshman season, but still woeful compared to some teammates.

He is SO stirring the pot with Rammer and Mersch in this latest article. Rammer didn't do much of anything memorable this year other than turn into a mega cryer when he took penalties and took the penalty that was the death knell of the season. How is a guy on the 2nd pp unit a flight risk? Mersch had a nice season, but he is not at the level of Smith or Murray or even 1st Star. I believe he's not reporting "facts", especially when he practically begged 1st Star to say he was.

Shocker on Daly. I wish him all the best. As far as his scholarship goes, does Eaves just spread the wealth among the non-full players or does he use it to try and find someone else available who can help next year.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

He is SO stirring the pot with Rammer and Mersch in this latest article. Rammer didn't do much of anything memorable this year other than turn into a mega cryer when he took penalties and took the penalty that was the death knell of the season. How is a guy on the 2nd pp unit a flight risk? Mersch had a nice season, but he is not at the level of Smith or Murray or even 1st Star. I believe he's not reporting "facts", especially when he practically begged 1st Star to say he was.

I'll be the first one to call him (Baggot) out when I think he deserves to be called out, but I think the criticism in this case is unwarranted.

You're right, John Ramage had a dreadful junior season. That doesn't mean he's not a flight risk. He's still got plenty of pro potential because of the way (in the past) he's proved he can play the game. NHL teams are scared sh**-less of the Justin Schultz situation right now where they draft a kid, let him develop in college, but he chooses to become a free agent. There's no doubt in my mind that Calgary will make overtures to sign John this summer.

Do I think he'll sign? No, I don't. He's one year away from choosing his destination and I'm sure he'll want to have a much better season as I doubt Calgary is going to offer anywhere near the max.

He's not stirring the pot, he's just pointing out the situation. Wisconsin fans should know better than any not to take kids staying for granted.
 
Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XXI - For every dark night, there's a brighter day

from Andy B "f your glass is half-full, that’s simply a very young team — six freshmen and eight sophomores played at least 25 games — in the process of learning how to win.
If your glass is half-empty, that constitutes a maddening two-year trend that has kept the Badgers mired in the second division of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and out of the NCAA tournament."

sounds familiar;)

these stats were unknown to me: The Badgers had their worst finish in WCHA history (11-15-2, 10th) while setting a school record for fewest shots on goal (975) and compiling the poorest penalty-killing ratio in 10 seasons under Eaves (76.3 percent).

especially fewest shots on goal. hopefully Kerdiles and Zulinick play more like Besse and shoot first. Zengerle too still needs to shoot more. He had a wide-open look between the face-off circles skating to his right (I believe this was the sunday game) and chose to pass to Barnes (who was well covered) instead of shooting.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top