UW recruiting: And the sign said non-blue chippahs need not apply!

[Eric Hybert]

Sounds like Eaves and Hagemo will meet face-to-face sometime this week. Hopefully Coach Eaves can close the deal and not let him slip away to the Gophs. Adding Klubertanz AND Hagemo would be a tough duo to top!

Matt Auffrey and his parents were at the KC for Saturday's game against the Gophs. Not a bad choice, I trust they enjoyed themselves!:-)) Sounds like he's already autographed an LOI.

Wisconsin Hockey: Bring in the Closer!

[joeyv]

Auffrey is on board. I'm looking forward to seeing this kid in Madison next season.

I'm pretty confident Eaves will seal the deal with Hagemo. Hagemo and Klubertanz are two kids who are likely going to step right in and play right away next season. If Suter stays, we've got quite crew back there with Gilbert/Suter, Likens/Klubertanz, Hagemo/Sawatske, and you've got Olinger and Julka for depth.

Pavelski is on fire right now. He had a big weekend with 3G and 2A, and he's on a nice scoring run right now. He started awfully slow, and Waterloo has not been playing very well of late, but it appears both Pavelski and Waterloo are snapping out of their respective John Funks.

Didn't like having Funk on the fourth line on Saturday. I'd rather see Gibson or Rowe. I'm wondering how much time is available for these guys this season.

Wisconsin Hockey: LOI.

[Badgers1]

Originally posted by joeyv
Auffrey is on board. I'm looking forward to seeing this kid in Madison next season.

I'm pretty confident Eaves will seal the deal with Hagemo. Hagemo and Klubertanz are two kids who are likely going to step right in and play right away next season. If Suter stays, we've got quite crew back there with Gilbert/Suter, Likens/Klubertanz, Hagemo/Sawatske, and you've got Olinger and Julka for depth.

Pavelski is on fire right now. He had a big weekend with 3G and 2A, and he's on a nice scoring run right now. He started awfully slow, and Waterloo has not been playing very well of late, but it appears both Pavelski and Waterloo are snapping out of their respective John Funks.

Didn't like having Funk on the fourth line on Saturday. I'd rather see Gibson or Rowe. I'm wondering how much time is available for these guys this season.

Wisconsin Hockey: LOI.

I'm beginning to wonder how much time will ever be left for Gibson, being a scholarship player I got to wonder if he'll last through the season.

[markwojo]

Picks up another goal and an assist tonight in a 2-3 loss for Waterloo. Hey Eric/Joey, do you guys think Hagemo gets resolved this week one way or another, or drags into Spring? If Gibson can't break into the top 12 forwards at this point, when we add Jo Pa & Auffrey and really only subtract Borque, will he ever?? This maybe a Joe Campbell situation where everyone is better off moving on. Gibson can find somewhere he can actually play, and Eaves and Co. can use the scholie on someone that they feel is one of the top 12 forwards. What is the deal with Tally?? Nice year as a Frosh w/ AA, and pretty much nothing here in a season and a quarter with a full year off to get stronger/better. I figured he would have to play a prominent role for us to have sucess, and he has hardly played. Hell, Eichelberger has played more. Good thing Burish and Dowell have played so well at center, as that was an area that looked like it might be a huge problem.

[joeyv]

I believe Hagemo will sign. He may not at this point, but I do think he will in the spring if he doesn't now. JHMO.

Auffrey, Pavelski, and Klubertanz are done deals.

As for Gibson...well...he's got good skills and good skating ability, he just isn't a physical player, and he doesn't play particularly well defensively, and this is the type of player you need on a fourth line. I don't like having Funk on that line, and IMO the best fourth line combo is Heatley with Gibson and Rowe. I would not liken his situation to that of Campbell's. Gibson has ability, and he is just a sophmore who has good upside. Campbell never really showed any ability whatsoever, but Gibson's going to have to work really hard to get into the lineup regularly, and I like the depth he adds. Its a little tough to have a scholarship player "adding depth" but UW has got to honor its comittment to the young man.

As for Talafous...he's a big guy who is really soft. Not a physical player, and a definite liability defensively. He has shown flashes of being able to contribute offensively, and he'll get another rip at cracking the lineup, but I think his lack of discipline, soft defensive play, and lack of productivity is a recipe for bench warming. I think he might fit in well on the fourth line if he can keep up his intensity level and maintain his composure.

Wisconsin has certainly shored up the center position with Joudrey, Dowell, Burish, doing a fine job on the top three lines and "center by committee" on the fourth line.

Wisconsin Hockey: News and Notes.

[joeyv]

Update on the U-17s.

UW recruit Jack Skille has 15G 9A in 23g for the NTDP, which is second on the club.

Phil Kessel has 21G 14A in 23 games to lead the NTDP in scoring. Hello Phil, UW calling...we would like to be a part of the resurgence of UW Hockey. Thank you.

Wisconsin Hockey: We Want You.

[sagissoor]

I would again like to restate that Drewiske appears to be a logical future badger, as he is having an excellent first season in the USHL with Des Moines, where he appears to be leading the whole defensive corps there.

[Hammy]

Originally posted by joeyv
I'm pretty confident Eaves will seal the deal with Hagemo.

FYI. He'll be a Gopher

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=8145&sport_id=mhock

[jen]

Originally posted by Hammy
FYI. He'll be a Gopher

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=8145&sport_id=mhock

He's a cake eater anyway :p ;)

[Eric Hybert]

I guess when he can be the best dmen on MN NOW, he might as well be a Gopher!:-))

That does suck. Thanks for waiting 'til now to change your mind! It'll be interesting to see who the Badgers bring in now.

Wisconsin Hockey: LIAR, LIAR!!!:-))

[Badgers1]

This sucks. Seems like his parents really wanted him to stay home if he decided so quickly after a visit. Certainly it outlines the problem of getting committments from 15 and 16 year olds, but the problem is almost every team is taking these committments.

Certainly Eaves has to really turn up the heat fast in looking for a Defenseman. Having just a half scholarship left before didn't leave much left to bring in for next year and not sure how many players they've met with. If Suter leaves this will really sting.

[Eric Hybert]

B1-

I think the worst part is that John Hynes is gone and it makes it difficult to get out on the road now. I'm not sure how they're going to deal with that situation. Obviously the new assistant better get here quick and have a decent grip on the recruiting scene. The whole timing of this stinks!

I've heard a few times that this is a good year for young USHL defensemen. I'm sure there's nobody as good as Hagemo left but there must be some good players out there. It'll be interesting to see if Motherwell and/or Kuk will be in the mix.

Wisconsin Hockey: Paybacks for landing Robbie Earl?

[Timothy A]

Hagemo's offensive numbers certainly don't set the world on fire. Is he a solid defensive d or is his value based on his potential?
Will he be as good as a freshman as Likens or Suter are?

We've got 6 defensemen for next year: Sawastke, Olinger, Likens, Gilbert, Jukla, and Klubertanz, 7 if Suter stays. Talentwise that's group's not too bad. Plus I'm sure they'll find someone who they can devlope.

As far as Suter goes, he is just rock solid defensively, but offensively I expected him to put up a few more numbers. He is a +6 right now and 2nd on the team. Does anyone think his lack of offesive production will increase the odds he'll be in Madison next year or is Nashville that desperate for a solid d?

What about a goaltender? Bruckler is a senior next year, which leaves just Elliott. We'll have to land a top notch goalie next year or we'll have just Elliott and ??.

Hynes leaving mid season like this stinks. We're trying to develop continuity on the team and now Eaves has to scramble to find a person with his same systems and ideals. Plus Ward won't be along much longer. Next year Eaves might have 2 new top assistants. They will be key in the devlopment of all these young and talented recruits for the championship drive.

[UWinWaukesha]

Originally posted by Hammy
FYI. He'll be a Gopher

Well, it's his loss.

[joeyv]

No use crying over spilled milk. If Hagemo thought it was in his best interests to stay closer to home, that's a good choice for him.

Hagemo, IMO, is the top defenseman on the U-18s, and he's one of those kids that will be ready to step right in and contribute at Minnesota.

I have to admit, I was hopeful the kid would keep his comittment, but as has been said, you can be a part of the fun, or you can get rolled over by the Big Red Machine. Apparently, Hagemo wants to take beatings. ;)

I hope Auffrey gives him a couple of good shots at practice, cake eatin', gopher lovin', little puke! ;)

Wisconsin Hockey: Wrong Move Bucko!

[jk]

If I may interrupt the Hagemo discussion for a moment, I have a favor to ask. joey, Eric: I recall that one of you had a contact at Notre Dame (Sask.) during the Joudrey re-recruitment. Did you ever hear anything about UND recruit Rylan Kaip? He's six months older than Joudrey, and had 56 points last year to Joudrey's 78. He was drafted in the ninth round last year. Thanks.

[aktick]

As a newbie to these boards (and a newbie to following recruiting), could somebody give me an overview of what the Badgers are doing for recruiting? I've read a lot of this thread, but would appreciate if somebody could break things down for me :) . Also, are there recruiting info websites? Thanks for the help.

[sagissoor]

For next year, we have lined up an excellent offensive defenseman in Kyle Klubertanz, a very finesse and goal scoring forward in Joe Pavelski, and an excellent all around power forward and scoring forward in Matt Auffrey. Nate Hagemo we just lost, who would have been another impact player on the blueline. Look for Kyle Kuk or Davis Drewiske to take his scholarship and add to our blueline.

For 2005, Jack Skille will be a big time scorer and has already commited. We are hoping to add Phil Kessel, and possibly Nathan Lawrence to the squad also, in addition to others who have yet TBD.

[joeyv]

jk,

I have some folks that I keep in contact with from ND. Kaip is a nice player from what I understand. I don't know a great deal about him, but ND is a solid program that produces good talent every year, so if I were a betting man, I'd say UND landed a very nice recruit.

aktick,

Welcome aboard!

Hagemo's "defection" (his name is now Benedict Hagemo) is unfortunate, but like coach Eaves said to USHR, this is the risk you take when getting early comittments from these kids. If Hagemo believes its in his best interests to play at Minnesota, I wish the kid the best of luck (except against UW). Hell, last year we gained Robbie Earl in a similar "defection", so you've got to expect this to bite you at some point.

Pavelski is on fire in the USHL. He's played 3-4 games less than the top ten scorers, and is currently 14th in league scoring. Dollars to donuts he's a top five scorer by the end of the season. He's probably the premier offensive talent in the USHL.

Klubertanz is probably the top offensive D in the league (arguably along with Peltier, IMO). NHL types believe him to be the top defensive prospect in the USHL and he's going to step right in at UW next season. He's another "rushing type" D, and a kid who has been highly touted.

Auffrey is an outstanding prospect. Great work ethic, can skate, score, and play special teams. NHL types rate him as the top professional prospect on the NTDP U-18's. He'll end up, IMO, being a great two way F, something in the mold of current UW frosh Jake Dowell.

Jack Skille is a BIG TIME prospect. A "power forward" with grit, scoring ability (currently second on the NTDP U-17s in scoring), and is projected as a possible NHL first round selection. This kid is going to be an excellent college hockey player someday.

UW's got a lot of "targets" which include but are not limited to Dan Bertram (AJHL- Camrose), Phil Kessel (NTDP), Nathan Lawrence (NTDP), Kyle Kuk (USHL), among others. Kessel and Bertram are impact players, so to speak.

Hope that gives you some insight.

Wisconsin Hockey: Here to Help in Any Way I Can.

[tb2]

Joey

Any word on who may be the next UW assistant coach? Maybe Eaves will try and get an ex-UW player from the north---Norwich, Perrin ......