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

[Eric Hybert]

Originally posted by tb2
Eric,

So with Motherwell apparently out of the mix, who are the top remaining left-handed Dmen?

I expect a surprise on this one, maybe a Canadian?

Eaves was in Chicago on Friday where Trevor Ludwig was playing in the NAHL Showcase. I believe Brandon Burns and Brett Bevis both play left D for the U-18's and I think they're both available. Not sure how good they are if they're still looking for scholarships, though...

Wisconsin Hockey: Hmmm...

[Eric Hybert]

Shane Lovdahl's a lefty, too. He's having a nice year with Cedar Rapids. 17 points, +16 and 100 shots. Not yet committed per Heisenberg.

Wisconsin Hockey: Callin' for the Lefty!

[markwojo]

Did we offer? Seemed like a nice fit for us, left handed dman from Wisconsin? Maybe the staff liked others better.

[BadgerFan]

If he's going to Bemidji, I'm guessing Eaves thought of him as more of a walk-on.

[Eric Hybert]

A reply I got via email regarding Trevor Ludwig:

"The Badgers would get a fine defenseman in Ludwig. Strong, swift and smart. I know he has also been approached by Providence, Ferris State, Miami and Denver."

Brett Motherwell was named the USHL's defensive POW.

Wisconsin Hockey: Mark Jackson II?

[sagissoor]

Gosh I hope we don't end up with Mark Jackson II. Olinger, Sawatske, etc. would beat out Mark Jackson II. Eaves needs to find a top four, maybe top five defenseman or look else where and live with what we have for a year. I wonder what Eaves sees in Engel over Drewiske. Size sure, but the people I've talked to see Drewiske as being a better fit for us. I suppose Osiecki has a good track record developing defensemen, so maybe Engel has really progressed. Otherwise, I suppose it's time to hop on the Motherwell bandwagon.

Wisconsin Hockey: Making Hagemo pull a "Kris Humphries" to UW?

[Eric Hybert]

Sags-
I agree, we can't afford to commit 4 years to an average player just to get us through one season (MJII). There really doesn't appear to be anything too exciting in the USHL/NAHL for '04. I think there are a couple point/game dmen in the OPJHL but who knows about them...

Add some walk-ons and try your luck at Motherwell and Morin for '05?

Wisconsin Hockey: Engel is no Matt Hunwick!:-))

[joeyv]

I am of the opinion that UW doesn't simply go out and sign any kid just to have a warm body in the position. Motherwell, Morin, or even some other unidentified D might be the best player at the position available and it will pay dividends down the road.

Next season you've got the following gang back there: Likens, Klubertanz, Olinger, Sawatske, Gilbert, and possibly Suter (fingers crossed). That little tool Hagemo really threw a wrench into the gears when he bailed. YOU PUKE! :D He'll regret it. :D

Its really a matter of who you want. We cannot just "settle" for the "next best talent", and if the staff doesn't think Engel or Drewiske are kids who fit it...so be it.

Wisconsin Hockey: Jackson II...The Sequel.

[solovsfett]

heh, no-one can touch Hunwick!!!!!!! That reminds me, Hobart has been absent for quite a long time now.

Anyway, I agree UW should hold off on giving a scolly to an potential 04 d-man at this point and invite a couple of kids to walk-on. It's obvious the great ones have been snatched up already.

It sucks that Hagemo reneged but even if he were coming the top 6 d-men, assuming Suter leaves, would still leave you with 2 guys who have either been in the doghouse (Sawatske, what for I don't know), or haven't seen enough ice time (Olinger).

Sawatske's situation is puzzling to me. He's got 3-4-7 in 16 games. Pretty respectable numbers, especially for a 4th-6th
d-man. The situation reminds me of Craig Anderson in that Anderson played sparingly his first 2 years yet seemed to put up a decent number of points in the games he played. Enough where I was wondering what Sauer's problem was not playing him more often.

[Eric Hybert]

Panger mentions Ludwig and tells us to remember the name Phil Kessel:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=pang%20darren&id=1713838

I know Panger and Troy Ward are good buddies from Troy's Hockey and Son's camp. I remember seeing Pang and his youth hockey team at the KC in Madison last season for a game. Ward must've filled him in about Mr. Kessel when discussing future Badgers!:-))

Ludwig's Texas Tornado team is 31-4 so far this season!!

Wisconsin Hockey: Remember the name...

[tb2]

Eric,

How does the defenseman from Wisconsin that is going to Notre Dame(Lucyk??) compare with the possible recruits that are talked about for '04?

I remember reading someplace that Eaves was looking for possibly 2 defensemen. We seem to be having trouble finding one that is worthy of a full or even a partial.

What is left in Canada as far as left-handed defensemen? Maybe WebGuy can give us the run down for AJHL.

[Eric Hybert]

tb2-
I have no idea how they'd compare but Lucyk is obviously more of a defensive-defenseman. He's got 10 points in almost 90 career USHL games.

Speaking of Tri-City, though, Kyle Kuk is still on the board AND he is a lefty. I'd rather take a young kid with potential a year early (see: Brian Elliott) in this situation than grab an older kid that's ripping it up stats-wise, so he might be in the mix.

Kuk is the 3rd highest scoring dmen in the USHL amongst 86's (Motherwell is 1st). Kuk and Shane Lovdahl are 1/2 in +/- for USHL dmen, too, FWIW.

Eaves said that this was the hardest he and his staff have had to work for a recruit during his brief tenure. Probably not a great sign of the remaining talent. I guess they have a "alot of people on the radar screen" and that campus visits are currently being arranged. This was in a brief article in the WSJ yesterday, not sure if it was online, though.

Engel, Kuk, Lovdahl, Ludwig???

Wisconsin Hockey: Kukie Bakers!

[tb2]

Thanks Eric.

Down here (Houston) I only have access to the internet articles.
Thanks for the extra info. We are usually only in Madison area when hockey is out of season........

Are any of those guys you mentioned worthy of a full sholarship though? I hope he gets 2 recruits for the price of one, may be the best.

I looked at the ESPN article you referred to by Pang and then read the article (Captimes?? WSJ??)about the BB recruit getting excited when Dickie V kept praising UW during ESPN telecast. Why can't Engblom (and Katz) give us a little help on a recruit or two also?----maybe Kessel....

[Eric Hybert]

I doubt anyone would get a full at this stage but you never know. I think they'd like to get two for one if possible.

Keep in mind, I beileve there are currently 9 Wisconsin kids on the Badger roster and I think Suter is the only fullride (unless Sauer gave Tally one for some reason) so a guy like Engel would probably come at a decent price.

Dickie V actually talked about the UW hockey team on the air when he was in town. I remember him mentioning that they were 3rd in the country amongst the constant praise for all things UW that day! We'll see if it helps hockey recruiting as much as it did for Bo in helping to land Krabbenhoft!:-))

Wisconsin Hockey: He doesn't know Dick about hockey!!!

[blockski]

maybe Eaves could get some props like that from coaching the WJC gold medal winners. I've only seen highlights from the WJC game, any mentions from the annoucers on UW?

I also like the TV trailer for "Miracle" where Herbie asks "who do you play for?" and one of the kids, probably supposed to be Mark Johnson says "UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN," even though it runs contrary to the team message and happy ending their trying to convey. That's free publicity!

Wisconsin Hockey: Spreadin' the word!

[solovsfett]

Good luck on getting Engblom to plug UW. I don't think I've ever heard him do so.

Looks like the pickings are slim for 04 now, although it sounds like Kuk might be a decent get.

How's this for spite? I can't wait to see Auffrey charge into a corner next year and knock Hagemo into the 10th row.

[Eric Hybert]

Congrats to Phil Kessel and Jack Skille on a nice weekend!

Gerbe-Kessel-Skille played on the 4th line this weekend again for the U-18 team. Kessel had a pretty breakaway goal in a 5-4 win over Yale on Saturday and Skille assisted on another Kessel goal on Sunday against Princeton

Kessel now has 2 goals and 1 assist in 3 college games this season. Not bad for a HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE!!!!!

Skille to Kessel...****, I could get used to hearing that combo!:-))

Wisconsin Hockey: The Wisconsin Wonders!

[markwojo]

...one way or another our lefty defenseman situation should work itself out in the next week and a half. I assume letter of intent day is the same as football, the middle of next week. I would love to see us pick up Kuk & Engel on 2 half ships and bank the other half we'ld have left.

[tb2]

I agree with with you

"I would love to see us pick up Kuk & Engel on 2 half ships and bank the other half we'ld have left"

That would be a nice pick up.

Are you sure that hockey and football have the same "spring" signing period?

Also, I remember a forward or 2 being mentioned as recruits for 2004---maybe. Whatever happened with Rankin, Spirko, others?

[BuckyPete]

So, I just joined the fracas after a while of just watching. Could someone give me a basic rundown of the recruiting picture, I don't know as much as I'd like. Help a lunatic out.