Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you?

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Strained MCL for Navin.

 

[UWisco]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Question, I see that Saponari was denied to go to BC(old news), I was wondering if anybody had any idea what he is going to do now.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Question, I see that Saponari was denied to go to BC(old news), I was wondering if anybody had any idea what he is going to do now.

link?

 

[NEWI Badger Fan]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

link?

http://thebostonhockeyblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/vinny-saponari-denied-by-bc-admissions.html


Here is what I found from December 2010.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Nic Kerdiles has been given a promotion (at least for the time being) to the NTDP U18's. He's played with them the past 4 games including 2 games against college teams Providence and Quinnipiac. They threw him right in to the fire on a line with Rocco Grimaldi. Sounds like he's got a decent shot at making the U18 roster for Worlds.

 

[NEWI Badger Fan]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Nic Kerdiles has been given a promotion (at least for the time being) to the NTDP U18's. He's played with them the past 4 games including 2 games against college teams Providence and Quinnipiac. They threw him right in to the fire on a line with Rocco Grimaldi. Sounds like he's got a decent shot at making the U18 roster for Worlds.

The Gamblers host the NTDP U18's at the Resch Center this Friday at 7:05 pm. This is a good opportunity to see McCabe and possibly Kerdiles.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

CHUCK, did you know if we were looking at Madison's Eric Johnson, D Dubuque, (brother of Notre Dame goalie Mike)? I see he has committed to Notre Dame as well.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

CHUCK, did you know if we were looking at Madison's Eric Johnson, D Dubuque, (brother of Notre Dame goalie Mike)? I see he has committed to Notre Dame as well.

I don't know if we looked at him or not. At the time he committed I think we still thought Hesketh would be coming along with McCabe. I'm still interested to see what we're doing for defensemen next year. Craig Johnson is a senior and we're bringing in McCabe and Daly. You have to assume that Gardiner is gone and most likely Schultz. That only leaves us with 7. Do the coaches expect either Gardiner or Schultz to stay? Do they move Ryan Little back to defense? Assuming at least either Murray or Smith leaves that leaves your forwards with only 14 if Little goes back to D.

I dont know...if we get hit hard again this off-saeson...Gardiner, Schultz, Smith, Murray...it could be tough. We're not bringing in close to the talent we brought in this fall. There aren't any Zengerle's, Barnes's, or Mersch's in this class.

 

[Gandalf the Red]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

I don't know if we looked at him or not. At the time he committed I think we still thought Hesketh would be coming along with McCabe. I'm still interested to see what we're doing for defensemen next year. Craig Johnson is a senior and we're bringing in McCabe and Daly. You have to assume that Gardiner is gone and most likely Schultz. That only leaves us with 7. Do the coaches expect either Gardiner or Schultz to stay? Do they move Ryan Little back to defense? Assuming at least either Murray or Smith leaves that leaves your forwards with only 14 if Little goes back to D.

I dont know...if we get hit hard again this off-saeson...Gardiner, Schultz, Smith, Murray...it could be tough. We're not bringing in close to the talent we brought in this fall. There aren't any Zengerle's, Barnes's, or Mersch's in this class.

Chuck I have to disagree w/ your last sentence, at least w/ the Mersch part of things. If you had said a year ago at this time that Mersch was going to be the 2nd line LW the whole season and contribute like an upperclassmen, you'd have been laughed at. While the talent at forward coming in is not that great, I'm not going to discount that any one of those kids couldn't come in and surprise us like Mersch has. Maybe a change of venue and coaches are what is needed for one or more of them to take a big step forward as a freshman. Lapic, Paape and Strang will all be older kids as well. I didn't think much of this freshman class in terms of coming in and making a huge difference because it hasn't happened w/ freshmen forwards in the past seasons at UW. Even 1st Star Zengerle has out performed my expectations.

As for the blue line, I'd like to see Ryan Little stay at forward. W/ Ratty Johnson and Dolan graduating, the team needs an upperclassmen shut down, I'm going to hit you hard every time you are near me and make you cry (if you are a gopher player) kinda guy to anchor the "checking" line Eaves has employed well the past few seasons. I'm not sure what is out there right now for recruits, but Ramage was a late addition two years ago, and there has to be a sleeper or two still sitting out there looking to play hockey in 2011.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Chuck I have to disagree w/ your last sentence, at least w/ the Mersch part of things. If you had said a year ago at this time that Mersch was going to be the 2nd line LW the whole season and contribute like an upperclassmen, you'd have been laughed at. While the talent at forward coming in is not that great, I'm not going to discount that any one of those kids couldn't come in and surprise us like Mersch has. Maybe a change of venue and coaches are what is needed for one or more of them to take a big step forward as a freshman. Lapic, Paape and Strang will all be older kids as well. I didn't think much of this freshman class in terms of coming in and making a huge difference because it hasn't happened w/ freshmen forwards in the past seasons at UW. Even 1st Star Zengerle has out performed my expectations.

The only thing surprising about Mersch's output this year has been how quick it came. Mersch is an NTDP kid, who had loads of upside and we knew that coming in. I saw him when he was with the U17 team and raved about his play on this site. He had a down year statistically last year with the U18's but was still considered if you were going to put it in terms of a star scale like on football recruiting sites a 4 star player.

Let me reiterate what I've already said, we don't have one forward recruit with the talent of Zengerle, Barnes, or Mersch. I'm not saying one can't surprise us, but none coming in have the talent that those 3 posess.

Edit: Here is my review on Mersch from the fall of last year, "I saw him last year at the start of the season and fell in love. He was all over the ice making plays, throwing his body around. He obviously finds his name in the score sheet. He's going to be a good one. If he improves his skating, he could be a really good player. "

 

[aktick]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

The only thing surprising about Mersch's output this year has been how quick it came. Mersch is an NTDP kid, who had loads of upside and we knew that coming in. I saw him when he was with the U17 team and raved about his play on this site. He had a down year statistically last year with the U18's but was still considered if you were going to put it in terms of a star scale like on football recruiting sites a 4 star player.

Let me reiterate what I've already said, we don't have one forward recruit with the talent of Zengerle, Barnes, or Mersch. I'm not saying one can't surprise us, but none coming in have the talent that those 3 posess.

If Mersch was even an average skater, he'd be quite a stud.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

If Mersch was even an average skater, he'd be quite a stud.

Skating is no doubt a drawback for him but I've seen players (Pavelski) that they said couldn't skate put up quite a few points in a UW uniform. Not saying Mersch is Pavelski lol.

 

[aktick]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Skating is no doubt a drawback for him but I've seen players (Pavelski) that they said couldn't skate put up quite a few points in a UW uniform. Not saying Mersch is Pavelski lol.

Hell I said the same thing about Heatley his freshman season...looked like a big lumbering idiot skating, but he managed to do ok.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Hell I said the same thing about Heatley his freshman season...looked like a big lumbering idiot skating, but he managed to do ok.

You forgot the .

The F's coming in aren't screaming talent, but I think next year guys like Lee, Clark and Barnes will have to step up and replace Podge, Murray and possibly Smith for scoring.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Nic Kerdiles has been invited to the U18 Five nations tournament. Kid is looking like a HUGE recruiting coup.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

nice!

Wow...thinking of 2012, if they get one more great player for that class (or is it full?) that could equal or surpass the zent, schier, moore class!

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

nice!

Wow...thinking of 2012, if they get one more great player for that class (or is it full?) that could equal or surpass the zent, schier, moore class!

That class was a little bit before my time but I think it's tough to top Turris/McDonagh/B. Smith/Goloubef/Gudmandson/Turnbull/Dolan/C. Johnson/P. Johnson.

But the 2012 class is going to be special if everyone makes it to campus. Red Line Report early 2012 projection had Kerdiles 60th overall but his stock is on fire right now and the draft is a year and a half away. I see him as a first rounder when it's all said and done. Morgan Zulinick is going to be a stud as well. He's averaging .8 points per game in the BC as a 16 year old. Not quite as good as Turris's 1.3 as a 16 y/o but Zulinick had that searated shoulder that affected his game. Additionally, we want Zully to do well, but not well enough that the dub steals him away.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

That class was a little bit before my time but I think it's tough to top Turris/McDonagh/B. Smith/Goloubef/Gudmandson/Turnbull/Dolan/C. Johnson/P. Johnson.

But the 2012 class is going to be special if everyone makes it to campus. Red Line Report early 2012 projection had Kerdiles 60th overall but his stock is on fire right now and the draft is a year and a half away. I see him as a first rounder when it's all said and done. Morgan Zulinick is going to be a stud as well. He's averaging .8 points per game in the BC as a 16 year old. Not quite as good as Turris's 1.3 as a 16 y/o but Zulinick had that searated shoulder that affected his game. Additionally, we want Zully to do well, but not well enough that the dub steals him away.

excellent point. I think I overlook that class because Turris left after his frosh season and in some way I I've disconnected him from it. also the 3-dmen left as Juniors (which all in all was pretty good considering) which shouldn't have any bearing on it.

I remember (out of nostalgia I suppose) the 2 big classes that IMO should have won *at least* one NCAA title at UW (considering their "on paper" talent, speed and point production) the majority of whom all stayed 4 years at UW (in fact I think all these guys were 4-year players including Zent and Rafalski)

90-91
Jason Zent
Andrew Schier
Chris Tucker
Blaine Moore
Dan Plante
Jacques Auger
(there may be more I'm missing)

91-92
Kelly Fairchild
Brian Rafalski
Maco Balkovec
Jamie Spencer
Mike Strobel
Mark Strobel
Chris Tok

Max Williams and Jim Carey came the next year I think...WOW. just wow, the 90 and 91 classes are just un*******withable

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Recruiting: What are you going to do, when NHL-U, comes calling for you

Patrick Daly named Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist.

Also, Kerdiles is playing on a line with potential first round picks this summer Rocco Grimaldi and JT Miller on the first line and Power Play at the 5 nations tournament. They must like him.