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

[Eric Hybert]

Originally posted by sagissoor
I wish a newspaper guy or somebody would shed some light on Eaves goaltending plan. As the third stringer, Redpath will play in maybe no more than one exhibition game next year. I'd rather go to a Stevens Point, but that is just me. Is this kid a 100% walkon? Is he getting any money? Is the plan to save scholarship money and work him in as the backup to Elliot? So many questions, so few answers.

Wisconsin Hockey: What's the big idea???

I could be proven wrong on this, but one close source told me, "Redpath is NOT coming here (Wisconsin), not even as a walk-on."

It could be a mistake on Heisenberg's list..remember that kid from the BCHL a few years ago, Randall Smisko, who was listed as a University of Wisconsin commitment..only to find out a few days later that it was actually the University of Wisconsin AT Superior!:-)) I could be wrong, but I don't think this kid's coming to Wisconsin.

As for Pat Johnson, I think most observers felt that he was the best of the 3 (Doug and Chris). He was the highest scoring frosh in the Big8 last year (11-13-24 w/6 PPG's).

http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/jmm/Activities/Schedules/memhockey/Players.htm

Wisconsin Hockey: UW-Madison!:-))

[tb2]

Thanks Eric. That makes more sense. Does your close source have any insights as to the search for another d-man or have they given up on that for the coming year?

[Badgers1]

Speaking of youngsters here's a list of Wisconsin kids that made the Central District teams for the Summer Festival. The region is almost entirely Illinois and Wisconsin with some Missouri's and a few randoms.

17 '87 Birthdates

Defense
Jason Fredricks
Garrett Suter
Jeremy Dehner

Forwards
Phil Kessel
Jack Skille
Andy Bombach
Jake Drewiske
Alexander McRae
Sean Wiles
Dan Decato

At large players: Joel Sauer

Osiecki is the head coach.

Central 16's '88 Birthdates

Defense
Derek Lapoint
Ryan Little

Forwards
Jason Cseter
Michael Sislo
Zachary Henry
Patrick Tiesling
Travis Erstad
Zachary Morbeck

At large: Kyle Ensign

Another former Badger Matt Walsh is the Head Coach

Centrals 15 '89 Birthdates

G
Andy Scheilb

Defense
Logan Maly
Eric Springer
A.J. Sturges

Forwards
Matthew Thurber
Jonathan Bellotti
Keegan Meuer

At large: Pat Johnson and A.J. Mueller

[milzie]

Originally posted by sagissoor
I wish a newspaper guy or somebody would shed some light on Eaves goaltending plan. As the third stringer, Redpath will play in maybe no more than one exhibition game next year. I'd rather go to a Stevens Point, but that is just me. Is this kid a 100% walkon? Is he getting any money? Is the plan to save scholarship money and work him in as the backup to Elliot? So many questions, so few answers.

Wisconsin Hockey: What's the big idea???

Redpath committed to UW Stevens Point.

[markwojo]

I would think UW could find someone who was a starter in their previous life!!
Originally posted by milzie
Redpath committed to UW Stevens Point.

[cereal addict]

Blais had a great pipeline out of Shattuck and Eaves has coached there. Do you think that this may become a place that UW looks at more now?

[markwojo]

Originally posted by cereal addict
Blais had a great pipeline out of Shattuck and Eaves has coached there. Do you think that this may become a place that UW looks at more now?

It has to help open that program up a little bit for everyone and certainly Eaves past connection may open the door a little furthur.

[Hammy]

Originally posted by cereal addict
Blais had a great pipeline out of Shattuck and Eaves has coached there. Do you think that this may become a place that UW looks at more now?

That "pipeline" had a lot more to do with ZParise than anything else.

[joeyv]

Agreed. There was a reasonable chance that had Mike Eaves been the coach at Wisconsin when he signed he might have worn red...ahhhhh...what might have been. :) Kinda like the Eaves bros. :(

I wonder if John Toews is heading back to Shattuck. Last I heard, he was going to play in the USHL for Sioux City (or Sioux Falls)...hmmmm...this kid is talented.

Wisconsin Hockey: In Toews.

[Hammy]

Originally posted by joeyv
Agreed. There was a reasonable chance that had Mike Eaves been the coach at Wisconsin when he signed he might have worn red...ahhhhh...what might have been. :) Kinda like the Eaves bros. :(

I wonder if John Toews is heading back to Shattuck. Last I heard, he was going to play in the USHL for Sioux City (or Sioux Falls)...hmmmm...this kid is talented.

Wisconsin Hockey: In Toews.

joey,

I also think the "pipeline" was maybe a little overdone at times. I can't speak for what other programs have done but the Gophers (according to one of the asst. coaches this past winter) have really only seriously pursued 3 players from Shattuck in recent years (one of which was obviously ZParise). Not that SSM haven't had other good players beyond those three (obviously they have) but I think sometimes people assume that every kid from that school is some super recruit when the reality is there are often times better players available elsewhere.

As for Toews, this article from late April seems pretty clear to me what he'll do. Especially the last paragraph. Then again, teens aren't the most reliable when it comes to following thru. :D

http://www.sportstricities.com/sportstc/hockey/americans/story/5017574p-4945978c.html

The kid from SSM that I really like is Okposo. He is a St. Paul kid with a lot of ability. I am pretty sure Lucia will make him a priority. He looked very good at the Model Camp.

[I BLEED RED 15]

officially kyle klubertanz will got to the avs

[markwojo]

Looks like a good infusion of talent into the WCHA with Wheeler, Zajac & Chucko in round one. Goligolski in round 2 & Kuby in round 3.

Where do Earl, Likens, Dowell & Auffrey go tommorow

[Badgers1]

Article from INCH on Kessell. Boston U was the only new school mentioned to add to the 3 schools we've always heard, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. He will be trying to play in 2005 and not going to Major Juniors by his words.

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/7Archives/Features/kessel_0245.htm

[markwojo]

I like his quote about "I really like the atmosphere of the college game". I would think that this is in the context of growing up in Madison watching Badger games. Maybe I am grasping at straws with this interpretation. I also think the atmosphere in the Kohl has got to be second to none. While I have not seen a college game anywhere else, judging by what I've seen on tv of other arenas, the Kohl game day is unmatched. Hopefully in the end Phil agrees. Have we ever been linked to Zach Jones, as we sure could use a stud dman to reload? I think Morin is one of the top targets, but having a couple targets is always better in case you miss once in a while.

[JMB]

Originally posted by markwojo
I like his quote about "I really like the atmosphere of the college game". I would think that this is in the context of growing up in Madison watching Badger games. Maybe I am grasping at straws with this interpretation. I also think the atmosphere in the Kohl has got to be second to none. While I have not seen a college game anywhere else, judging by what I've seen on tv of other arenas, the Kohl game day is unmatched. Hopefully in the end Phil agrees. Have we ever been linked to Zach Jones, as we sure could use a stud dman to reload? I think Morin is one of the top targets, but having a couple targets is always better in case you miss once in a while.

I think you might be grasping at straws. If Wisconsin changes their style to a more up-tempo game (rather than the trapping style they played last year), then I think they improve their chances. But, apparently Wisconsin doesn't have the "location" edge that they would appear to have.

The next choice – where to go – will depend on a number of factors. He favors a school that plays an up-tempo, offensive style and features a classic college hockey atmosphere. Location won’t be a deciding factor, as he shrugs off suggestions that Wisconsin might have an edge since he’s from Madison.

[tb2]

So Engel is a Badger. According to the captimes article we have 4 lefthanders on defense. Is that correct?

Did Engel get a partial or will he be another walkon?

[markwojo]

Eaves style w/ the UNDT and the junior gold medal team was much more open when he had the horses. He is adding a few more horses this fall to go along with the last class and will in my opinion open up the play. When you don't have the horses, you need to trap to stick around and hope for a break or bounce to win (or in the case of last year tie). Add Skille & Goro the following year (+Kessel hopefully) and you will see a much different approach I suspect. I think your point is correct though, seeing will be believing for a 17 year old.

[joeyv]

JMB,

Kids want to WIN. This "trapping style" got results, and IMO was played more out of necessity (i.e. read lack of personnel to play racehorse hockey) than of a long term plan.

I think you will see more wide-open, up and down hockey this coming season as Wisconsin has better personnel that are better suited towards this style than last season. JMHO.

Don't kid yourself. UW's got that "classic college hockey" atmosphere. Where do you think he saw that atmosphere? (hint: Kessel's a Madison kid) While he might "shrug off" such notions, don't think for one minute that kid doesn't think about location as a factor in his decision. I am not saying this makes UW any kind of frontrunner, but it will enter into his thought process IMO.

Nevertheless, I think young Mr. Kessel would look smashing in Cardinal and White.

Wisconsin Hockey: The Kessel Run.

[Badgers1]

Here's the article on Engel's committment.

http://www.madison.com/captimes/sports/uw/hockey/77851.php

No mention of money, but I'd be very surprised if it was a full ride as not many of the local kids have been. It certainly helps the depth and being left handed is another plus with 4 good Right Handed D already.

Can someone who's seen Josh play describe his type of play? At 6'3 is he more of a stay at home guy physical guy like Olinger?

[10minutemisconduct]

Joey - maybe we're all trying to read too much into it, but you gotta admit the "up tempo" comment would tend to favor MN or MI over the Badgers. I'm a Gopher fan, so you know where my interest (bias) lies. I think if you look far too deep into his comments, it likely favors MI - up-tempo (like MN, but not WI) & classic college atmosphere (Prolly more so than MN & WI -depending on how you interpret it).