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

[tb2]

Since we are in the midst of the assistant coach search, how does this affect the search for another defenseman to make up for the Sawatske loss? Any ideas on who they may be looking at?

Sags mentioned Lutz (from WI) who has verballed to Vermont, any others?

Does Osiecki bring Engel with him early (or another d-man from GB)? Does Tok bring a d-man a year early like we took Elliott perhaps a year early? .........

[Eric Hybert]

Originally posted by tb2

Sags mentioned Lutz (from WI) who has verballed to Vermont, any others?

Does Osiecki bring Engel with him early (or another d-man from GB)?

I guess Lutz has already signed with Vermont. The Badgers never recruited him, FWIW.

Someone mentioned on the Badgermaniac board that they talked recently to Engel's mom. According to the post, the Badgers want him, but not til '05-'06. I guess his mom was a UW hockey cheerleader back in the day. I'm sure she remembers the old "Rumble Rink" cheer!:-))

Don't forget that Jimmy Kilpatrick also visited the Badgers along with Engel earlier in the spring. If Oz is the man, he could be another GB possibility although he visited prior to Gorowsky committing for '05.

Wisconsin Hockey: We don't need no stinkin' cheerleaders!!!

[Badgers1]

Congrats to JoePa for being named USA Junior Player of the Year!

http://www.ushl.com/pr/20032004/20040527ushl.htm

[Kurdatz]

Hey Badger fans,

I went out partying with some of the Badger hockey team last night at the Sports Pub and shot the breeze with Ross Carlson - a guy who's career I followed while he was at Duluth East. Nice guy and a hell of a hockey player. We had a great talk about hockey and the Badgers in general (hey, I'm a tUMD fan, but I love college hockey!) You're boys should make the NCAA's next year - I can almost promise it.

[Badgers1]

1 goalie that Wisconsin may of been interested in replacing Bruckler is off the list as Jordan Pearce verballed to Norte Dame for the 2005-06 season. Seems like he didn't take any other official visits. According to USHR he did take an unofficial visit to Wisconsin and Michigan St.

[Eric Hybert]

Congrats to Pavelski! I guess there really is more to evaluating a recruit than just stats. He obviously didn't rip it up like he did his rookie year but when you're the captain and the leading scorer of the team that wins it all, I guess you deserve some recognition.

Davis Drewiske and Joe Piskula were in town for the team workout yesterday. Hopefully the rest of the crew will get here soon and bust their tails all summer in preparation for Camp Eaves.

Wisconsin Hockey: I survived Camp Eaves!

[tb2]

Now that Eaves has decided on the new assistant, who will be the D-man they bring in? What are the possibilities?
Engel or Kuk
A Canadian (it would be taking one a year early)
Beaverson?
A NDPT D-man headed to USHL

[Eric Hybert]

Originally posted by tb2
Now that Eaves has decided on the new assistant, who will be the D-man they bring in? What are the possibilities?
Engel or Kuk
A Canadian (it would be taking one a year early)
Beaverson?
A NDPT D-man headed to USHL

"Josh is a very intriguing player. He is a 6'4" very mobile defenseman who has untapped potential. I believe this young man could have a future in the NHL."

--Mark Osiecki on Josh Engel

Engel would be my guess. They're going to bring him in anyway (they'd prefer '05) so why not take a kid a year early rather than take some leftover?

It'll be interesting to see if this hire has any impact on Garrett Suter's decision to play for the Gamblers. If the NTDP option is still available, will he take it now that Osiecki's gone?

Wisconsin Hockey: Drop the puck already!!!

[sagissoor]

Keep in mind, a walkon guy could be the trick. I believe we got Carlson late in the game last year. There are always good ones out there, and if the opportunity is there, sometimes the money isn't that important (again, see Ross Carlson).

[GB Puck Fan]

I just don't think Engel is going to Wisconsin this fall.

They've told him there's no money for him this year. Plus, while he improved in his one year here in Green Bay - and I think he could be ready to play at UW - another year in the USHL would be beneficial...

[tb2]

Sags,
what if Suter leaves in the next few weeks? Then we are looking at 2 D-men for this coming year. I believe that Maine landed a pretty decent D-man late this past year. Maybe we can get one too.

Historically, how have we done with late recruits? Bruckler has been great---what others?

[doedahusky]

Whats all this talk about Kerns not being able to get into UW because of grades? Does anyone remember Donald Hayes? He had bad grades and was L.D. and got into UW to play football. Maybe football and hockey are different?

[sagissoor]

Kerns is LD himself, so grades aren't a big thing for Mitch. I think it is simply a risk to offer a kid right out of a Wisconsin high school. Nevermind that Kerns is the exception, Eaves wasn't going to do it until he saw the production in a better league. I still know (know) that if UW offered, Mitch would become a badger.

As for defensemen, I think Suter is staying so this is moot. My guess would be that they'd bring in one scholarship guy and one Piskula-type (quality) walkon. Engel would seem logical, but there are others that have slipped through the cracks...

[joeyv]

UW's top two targets are Kessel and Morin for '05.

As for Kerns reputed academic situation, so what? If he works hard, goes to class, and enjoys UMD, I wish the kid the best. The "he couldn't get into UW anyhoo" arguments smack of !!!!!!!!!!!, and it really doesn't matter what the reasons are he's at UMD, he just is.

Others on the periphery for UW include Kilpatrick (Green Bay- USHL), Brock Bradford (BCHL), Sean Connelly (Chicago-USHL), Nathan Lawrence (NTDP), Andy Bohmbach (Hudson HS), and I'm sure there are many, many others.

Wisconsin Hockey: Off Season Doldrums.

[Hammy]

Originally posted by joeyv
Others on the periphery for UW include Kilpatrick (Green Bay- USHL), Brock Bradford (BCHL), Sean Connelly (Chicago-USHL), Nathan Lawrence (NTDP), Andy Bohmbach (Hudson HS), and I'm sure there are many, many others.

From all the info I have received, I would end up pretty surprised if Bradford isn't in a maroon and gold uniform in the fall of 2005. The question is which maroon and gold uniform it will be. Everything I have heard is that it will most likely be BC when all is said and done. But who knows what will happen when dealing with the mind of a 17 year old whose dad has big money. He could have flip flopped teams in his mind 10 times since two weeks ago when I last heard anthing on him. :)

Bohmbach will be in Gopher country all next week at the Model Camp at Mariucci. It will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the vast majority of MN's best HS aged players. The camp should be great and is always loaded (which is why so many scouts and college coaches are there). I know I'll be on hand. But I am a Gopher follower so why should you care what my "biased" opinion says. ;)

[joeyv]

I've heard much the same about Bradford.

As for Bohmbach, I've heard he's highly skilled, very quick, but also VERY tiny. It will be interesting to see how the kid stacks up, but Wisconsin HS talent has really gotten a lot better the past few years at the top end. It really doesn't have any depth to speak of, but there aren't nearly the number of programs in WI.

It's not that I don't care Hammy...its that you are an irrelevant rodent rooter, and I have to weigh your credibility against that affinity. ;)

Wisconsin Hockey: More Credibility.

[markwojo]

I have heard Osiecki is Bradford's third cousin on his wife's side and Kessel is a long lost nephew. I think that might help LOL!! Seriously, I recall hearing Bradford & Bertram may want to play together which may give BC the inside track. You never know though with 17 year old kids. He may want to come to UW and be the man from an offensive standpoint as we could use a marquee sniper to build a top line around (hopefully Kessel though I'm sure if both wanted to come we would find room). I will be happy if the staff can convince Bradford to come in for a visit during the season. I think the gameday atmosphere is second to none. Maybe we can even pick a weekend where we can bring Heatley back to do a sales job. Oh wait, that did not work out to well with Leavitt in the long run.

[Hammy]

Originally posted by joeyv
As for Bohmbach, I've heard he's highly skilled, very quick, but also VERY tiny.

Umm, not that I would know from seeing him first hand (well, at least not until next week) but I have seen the kid listed over 6 feet tall. Granted, some guys fudge on their physical stats but even if he lied about a few inches in height, he'd still be of average height for a college player.

Now, unless you are the size of Shaq, I don't know that this would qualify a kid as "VERY tiny". :D

[joeyv]

I must be thinking of a different kid. Maybe its that kid from New Richmond...uhhh...the name escapes me. I haven't seen Bohmbach before, but 6'? Nope, that doesn't qualify him as tiny, and if it does that makes me very tiny at 5'11". :D

The kid from New Richmond led WI HS in scoring I believe, but the name...dammit...now its bugging me. :mad:

Wisconsin Hockey: Tiny.

[joeyv]

Sorry, I am referring to Josh Calleja of New Richmond.

Wiscosin Hockey: Found It.