Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

You guys realize the Badgers have four current commits playing for the U.S. NTDP right now, right?

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

You guys realize the Badgers have four current commits playing for the U.S. NTDP right now, right?

Yes.

Without looking it up I can only think of around 10 guys that were actual Eaves recruits off the NTDP since he started, including Mersch, Kerdiles, Simonelli, McCabe... Anyway, five or six of them were really, really good players, but I'm not sure that's how we were all envisioning it early on. I think until now he's probably pulled kids at about the same pace as Sauer did. Of course it didn't hurt Sauer to have Eaves running the program either, I'm sure.

All I'm saying is that there was an early perception that Eaves NTDP connection was very important. I can't say I can tell in retrospect that was true.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Yes.

Without looking it up I can only think of around 10 guys that were actual Eaves recruits off the NTDP since he started, including Mersch, Kerdiles, Simonelli, McCabe... Anyway, five or six of them were really, really good players, but I'm not sure that's how we were all envisioning it early on. I think until now he's probably pulled kids at about the same pace as Sauer did. Of course it didn't hurt Sauer to have Eaves running the program either, I'm sure.

All I'm saying is that there was an early perception that Eaves NTDP connection was very important. I can't say I can tell in retrospect that was true.

18 by quick count. Not all of them worked out, obviously. That connection was really important that first year in keeping the commitment of Suter (who I didn't count as part of the 18), and getting guys like Earl, Likens and Dowell. People forget that Earl was committed to Michigan.

Full list of Mike Eaves NTDP commits:

Robbie Earl
Jeff Likens
Jake Dowell
Matt Auffrey
Jack Skille
Jamie McBain
Nigel Williams
Blake Geoffrion
Nick Pryor
John Ramage
Frankie Simonelli
Michael Mersch
Jake McCabe
Nic Kerdiles
Luke Kunin
Ryan Wagner
Luke Opilka
Jack Dougherty

It should probably be noted some of these kids committed to Wisconsin before being selected by the NTDP.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Yes there are other kids out there that can help in the BCHL/AJHL....MacTavish sure looks like he fills that description.

Yeah, he looks to be the top guy left on the board in those 2 leagues yet considering his age. Danton Heinen is an 18 yr old with 52 pts in 49 games. Chad Staley is a 19 yr old with 53 pts in 49 games. Kurt Keats has 49 pts in 41 games as an 18 yr old. Some other 18 yrs olds averaging 1 pt per game are Brendan Taylor, Dane Gibson, Deigo Cuglieto, Justin Rai,....there's actually all sorts of uncommitted 18 yr olds averaging a pt a game in the BCHL.

What a relief on Hughes.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

18 by quick count. Not all of them worked out, obviously. That connection was really important that first year in keeping the commitment of Suter (who I didn't count as part of the 18), and getting guys like Earl, Likens and Dowell. People forget that Earl was committed to Michigan.

Full list of Mike Eaves NTDP commits:

Robbie Earl
Jeff Likens
Jake Dowell
Matt Auffrey
Jack Skille
Jamie McBain
Nigel Williams
Blake Geoffrion
Nick Pryor
John Ramage
Frankie Simonelli
Michael Mersch
Jake McCabe
Nic Kerdiles
Luke Kunin
Ryan Wagner
Luke Opilka
Jack Dougherty

It should probably be noted some of these kids committed to Wisconsin before being selected by the NTDP.

I'd really only consider Auffrey, Williams and Pryor to have been busts out of that list. We should perhaps consider it for the best that Pryor went elsewhere.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Yeah, he looks to be the top guy left on the board in those 2 leagues yet considering his age. Danton Heinen is an 18 yr old with 52 pts in 49 games. Chad Staley is a 19 yr old with 53 pts in 49 games. Kurt Keats has 49 pts in 41 games as an 18 yr old. Some other 18 yrs olds averaging 1 pt per game are Brendan Taylor, Dane Gibson, Deigo Cuglieto, Justin Rai,....there's actually all sorts of uncommitted 18 yr olds averaging a pt a game in the BCHL.

What a relief on Hughes.

I expect the next two guys to be from either Wisconsin or Minnesota.

 

[markwojo]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

On the USDT....Wisconsin has gotten it's fair share out of that program. Michigan and to an extent Notre Dame will have a bit of an advantage once the kids end up in Ann Arbor based on geography. I also think the geography of where the kids come from orginally in heading to the USDP plays a roll. Minnesota kids are likely to have a predisposition to Minnesota, North Eastern kids to the Boston schools, Colorado kids to the collorado schools, ect if not already being committed prior to setting foot in Ann Arbor.

I had heard an interesting thing recently. There is a rumor that a state of the art multiple sheet facility may be built in Chicagoland (near OHare) soon with the USDP the key imputus for that happening. That would be a great benefit to Wisconsin pulling those kids to with in a couple hours of Madison and a bit further from Michigan.

 

[markwojo]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I'd really only consider Auffrey, Williams and Pryor to have been busts out of that list. We should perhaps consider it for the best that Pryor went elsewhere.

Auffrey and Williams were far from busts...Auffrey was a point a game guy in the OHL and Willimas not far behind and both spent time in the AHL which is far from shabby. Both didn't work out at UW, but would have hleped long term if they were a little more patient. Pryor was a hot mess more because of off ice issues and demons then necessarily his hockey ability.

 

[Bonin21]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I expect the next two guys to be from either Wisconsin or Minnesota.

I can't think of any uncommitted MN HS forward that could play college next year, except maybe from Shattuck. Must be in juniors.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

18 by quick count. Not all of them worked out, obviously. That connection was really important that first year in keeping the commitment of Suter (who I didn't count as part of the 18), and getting guys like Earl, Likens and Dowell. People forget that Earl was committed to Michigan.

Full list of Mike Eaves NTDP commits:

Robbie Earl
Jeff Likens
Jake Dowell
Matt Auffrey
Jack Skille
Jamie McBain
Nigel Williams
Blake Geoffrion
Nick Pryor
John Ramage
Frankie Simonelli
Michael Mersch
Jake McCabe
Nic Kerdiles
Luke Kunin
Ryan Wagner
Luke Opilka
Jack Dougherty

It should probably be noted some of these kids committed to Wisconsin before being selected by the NTDP.

My "around ten" number wasn't counting the 4 kids that aren't actually here yet, which is maybe not as fair to Eaves, but I don't count my Badgers until they skate.
And I suppose I was thinking Likens and Dowell, and Earl would have been in the fold already, but good point on Earl being a MI commit. Keeping in mind the first actual season of the program was 97-98 these are Sauer's recruits over the four seasons he remained:

Matt Doman

John Eichelberger

Brian Fahey

Jason Riemers

Tom Sawatske

Dave Tanabe

Brad Winchester

So Sauer had at least 7 in 4 years, or more in 5 years depending on how you want to count who was in the fold at the transition. Eaves to this point has at most 14 giving him credit for all, or 10-11 if not, so far on campus in 12 years. My original point was that in retrospect I can't really say that Eaves connection to the NTDP has shown to be of extra value. Since Sauer was at, or almost at 2/year, the numbers seem to bear that out.

Just for fun, here's a quick and dirty total number of players (not including commits) to go to various schools from the NDTP:

Michigan 39

Notre Dame 32

Minnesota 30

Wisconsin 22

MI ST 20

BU 21

BC 16

Denver 18

UND 10

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

To be fair, there is a fair number of high quality MN kids who turn down the NTDP, and Wisconsin certainly does a fair share of recruiting in MN. Not that this directly relates to the point you're making Wisko. There is good reason Michigan leads all other schools in recruiting the NTDP, and it isn't all related to their proximity or coaching connections to the program.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I expect the next two guys to be from either Wisconsin or Minnesota.

Bummer. We need guys who are ready to play now. I hope they are from Minnesota, the WI kids generally are more of project/longer developing guys but Bonin says all the rodent kids are committed. Looks like a bleak situation. My eldest who is a Sr this year could walk on, but he hasn't played hockey in 6 years.

 

[Almington]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Bummer. We need guys who are ready to play now. I hope they are from Minnesota, the WI kids generally are more of project/longer developing guys but Bonin says all the rodent kids are committed. Looks like a bleak situation. My eldest who is a Sr this year could walk on, but he hasn't played hockey in 6 years.

It will be someone who has junior experience. I'm not worried, he isn't going to be be expected to be much more than a 4th line/depth player (at least initially, never know what might happen as an upperclassman). Frankly, IMHO the coaches are looking (or should be) as much for character as pure talent for these players.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Bummer. We need guys who are ready to play now. I hope they are from Minnesota, the WI kids generally are more of project/longer developing guys but Bonin says all the rodent kids are committed. Looks like a bleak situation. My eldest who is a Sr this year could walk on, but he hasn't played hockey in 6 years.

I wasn't talking about high school kids, I was referring to where they are from. It's much easier to fill out the last few spots with kids who will get in-state tuition or a significant break like Minnesota residents. They will likely be older, junior hockey players. We'll see. Remember, they will likely be filling the roles of Little/Meuer.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I had heard an interesting thing recently. There is a rumor that a state of the art multiple sheet facility may be built in Chicagoland (near OHare) soon with the USDP the key imputus for that happening. That would be a great benefit to Wisconsin pulling those kids to with in a couple hours of Madison and a bit further from Michigan.

This would be awesome if it ever came about.



As to the remaining guys, Little and Meuer will leave some high quality skates to fill when they depart. I don't think you can ask any more from a couple of kids then those two have and are giving the Badgers. Team's gotta have 'em and I love those types of guys.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I wasn't talking about high school kids, I was referring to where they are from. It's much easier to fill out the last few spots with kids who will get in-state tuition or a significant break like Minnesota residents. They will likely be older, junior hockey players. We'll see. Remember, they will likely be filling the roles of Little/Meuer.

I think holes in the line-up are bigger than just filling out the 4th line, especially if Hughes is not coming next year. I'd like to see guys come in yet who are good enough to push Paape, McGuire and Cavallini out of the line-up, though I like what I see out of Paape and Cavallini. Trading Zengerlee, Barnes and Mersch for Rockwood, Wagner and Ustaski isn't a fair trade, and I don't expect it to be, however there's nothing guaranteeing Soleway, Zullinick and Besse will produce like Zengerlee, Barnes and Mersch either. On paper right now there's 2 lines that have scoring potential and there's 2 lines that you have no freaking idea what they'll do scoringwise. It sadly looks like UW will be back to having 2 2nd lines and 2 4th lines since only 6 forwards are coming back who have played substantial minutes. The following year looks pretty exciting adding Malone, Boeser, Hughes and Freytag into the mix. But this is the Eaves cycle we all have to live with.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

Badgers had a recruit in for a visit last night, Trent Frederic. Big center prospect out of the St. Louis area. Sounds like he'll end up in Ann Arbor next year at the NTDP. His older brother plays for the Janesville Jets (with Shuey's kid). I saw his old man after the game, he had to be 6'4, 6'5. Kid has some pretty good size on him as well for a 98-born player.

 

[Gandalf the Red]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

18 by quick count. Not all of them worked out, obviously. That connection was really important that first year in keeping the commitment of Suter (who I didn't count as part of the 18), and getting guys like Earl, Likens and Dowell. People forget that Earl was committed to Michigan.

Full list of Mike Eaves NTDP commits:

Robbie Earl
Jeff Likens
Jake Dowell
Matt Auffrey
Jack Skille
Jamie McBain
Nigel Williams
Blake Geoffrion
Nick Pryor
John Ramage
Frankie Simonelli
Michael Mersch
Jake McCabe
Nic Kerdiles
Luke Kunin
Ryan Wagner
Luke Opilka
Jack Dougherty

It should probably be noted some of these kids committed to Wisconsin before being selected by the NTDP.

What ever happened to Nick Pryor? I haven't looked recently, but I was regularly checking on Nigel Williams, and he hadn't made the NHL as of a few years ago. I think he really blew it leaving because Oz was doing great things at the time, but he didn't have the patience.

 

[markwojo]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I think holes in the line-up are bigger than just filling out the 4th line, especially if Hughes is not coming next year. I'd like to see guys come in yet who are good enough to push Paape, McGuire and Cavallini out of the line-up, though I like what I see out of Paape and Cavallini. Trading Zengerlee, Barnes and Mersch for Rockwood, Wagner and Ustaski isn't a fair trade, and I don't expect it to be, however there's nothing guaranteeing Soleway, Zullinick and Besse will produce like Zengerlee, Barnes and Mersch either. On paper right now there's 2 lines that have scoring potential and there's 2 lines that you have no freaking idea what they'll do scoringwise. It sadly looks like UW will be back to having 2 2nd lines and 2 4th lines since only 6 forwards are coming back who have played substantial minutes. The following year looks pretty exciting adding Malone, Boeser, Hughes and Freytag into the mix. But this is the Eaves cycle we all have to live with.

For sure....no Hughes next season means we need an impactful forward that can play top 6 (or at least a top 9) role. On the flip side, if we don't see Hughes....it probably means both Labate and Kerdilies have stayed in which case we certainly will have a #1 line and can more properly slot guys into a 2nd line and third line role. If those guys stay...we have Beese, Kerdelies, Labate, Zullnick, & Rockwood that are all top 6 type skillful guys and can supplement them with guys like Soleway and hopefully Wagner who can play a role on a top line. If we lose both Kerdelies and Labate...we are screwed with or without Hughes as we will simply be too young and need a little more seasoning to compete with the big boys.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting Vol. XXVI: Make him an offer he can't refuse

I wrote a little about Trent Frederic, 1998-born center who visited last night: LINK

From what I've heard from some people who have seen him this season, he's a really nice player.