High School Players/Teams Observations

[ARM]

Rather than clutter up the "early signings" thread with other talk of high school players, I'm creating a separate thread. My focus will be on Minnesota players, but other states' high schools plus preps would also be appropriate subject matter. The intent is that when someone later shows up in a "signing" thread, we are less likely to say "never heard of her".

[ARM]

I watched this game last night between two teams which have been state championship contenders the last few years. It featured 3 Division-I signees (Amanda Stohr, F, SSP, to MSU-Mankato; Kristina Bunker, F, Bla, to MSU-Mankato; Stefanie Ubl, D, Bla, to UND) and several good prospects. I saw coaches from MSU-Mankato, Minnesota, and Wisconsin there, so they must think so, too.

SSP won 5-3, getting a 4-0 1st period lead and surviving a shaky 3rd. Ubl fell into the boards on a 2nd period holding penalty, suffered what looked to be a head injury, and did not return. While she was in the game, she showed some talent rushing the puck. She has decent size, so I think she has a D-1 future. Based on last night's game, she will have to adjust to the faster forwards in the college game. Bunker didn't have the impact I expected, but it was only one game early in the season, against a tough opponent. Still, it might take her a season to come up to speed as well. Blaine had some other forwards who hustled and had good speed, but they were on the small side. I'd say Sammi (sp?) Nixon was the best of these.

SSP has moved Ashley Young off of the Amanda Stohr/Maggie Fisher line and created another top line with her and Felicia Nelson. The two worked very well together, combining to score the first four goals and providing numerous other scoring chances. I still think Fisher was the most talented player on the ice, but she and A. Stohr missed Young's energy on their line. Nelson has a good combination of size, skating ability, hands, and hockey instincts. Of newer players for the Packers, Michelle Stohr had the best game.

[sevenpucks]

It sounds like it was a great game to be at, I will bet that there will be a great deal of coaches at all the games the SSP plays this year they have a lot of talanted players. Do you have a box score from that game at all. Interested to see that.

[brookyone]

Another U of M recruit, J Philipczyk from Eagan is off to a strong start this season...had a four or five goal game the other day & followed up with a goal & assist in next game.

SSP is at 61 straight now I think. I'm not sure they will lose one as some have predicted. It's always possible of course but I think they're good enough & motivated as well to continue the streak. I still think Maggie Fisher is quite likely going to be a big time D1 player & sure hope she ends up wearin the maroon & gold and plays her home games at Ridder.

[ARM]

Originally posted by sevenpucks
Do you have a box score from that game at all. Interested to see that.

Here's what I have:


Blaine 0 1 2 -- 3
South St. Paul 4 1 0 -- 5


1st: SSP--Nelson (Yorkson), 1:34. SSP--Nelson (un.), 2:24. SSP--Young (un.), 13:35. SSP--Young (Nelson), 13:58.

2nd: Bla--Stoy (Nixon), 14:56, pp. SSP--A. Stohr (un.), 16:35, pp.

3rd: Bla--Nixon (un), 5:59, sh. Bla--Daleiden (Nixon, Bunker), 8:25.

Saves: Bla--Hanlon, 10-6-14--30; SSP--Crnobrna, 4-4-6--14.

[sevenpucks]

Hey thanks ARM, sounds like it was a good game, I would love to see Stohr reunited with Fisher next year with the Mavs, that would be fun to watch !!

[sevenpucks]

I take that back it would be nice to see Stohr and Fisher together the following year being that Fisher is a junior this year, she is a good one!!

[brookyone]

This is the source of my concern, that the Mavs establish some sort of inside track or pipeline if you will to the loaded SSP talent pool. I'm hoping that doesn't occur, although it's seems they may have already done so.

I do think that a "collection" of that many gifted players on one team at basically the same time is a somewhat rare thing & something to be enjoyed...watch it while you can.

[sevenpucks]

I do agree that it would be something special, but I disagree that its a pipeline for the Mavs, athletes today are going to go where they feel the most wanted, not because their buddies go there. I just think its a case of kids wanting to come to an up and coming program that is starting to have some sucess. It only helps getting kids to get your program strong that are already in strong programs, those kids know how to win, and those are the types of kids that coaches will and always do recruit. You go after the best kids each year it just so happens that there are plenty of them at SSP, if you look at MSU's roster they also have 3 girls from Thunder Bay, so I dont think its that uncommon. If you want to step over to the mens side of the game, the University of North Dakota has 7 kids from Shattuck, my feeling is once a kid likes it at a particular school, they are going to tell their former teammates that its a great program and they have many things to offer, so in that aspect yes it is a pipeline like you called, but I still think a coach is going to go after the best players albeit if they are on the same team or not.

[brookyone]

The "pipeline" comment was tongue in cheek. I understand several SSP kids are likely to be highly recruited...and rightly so. I'm a Gopher fan. The point of my post was to say I hope Maggie Fisher chooses the U of M if the opportunity arises and if I was the coach (active imagination required) she sure as hell would get that opportunity. My reasons are purely selfish because it would give me the delightful opportunity to watch her play on a regular basis. I do disagree somewhat that the chance to play with a former linemate / teamate is of no influence to a potential recruit in all cases. I would think that any coach might in fact use that as a selling point when pursuing a particular recruit. I think it's safe to say alot of D1 coaches will be recruiting several SSP players

[ARM]

Recruiting is an area where the coaches have access to a lot more information than the casual fan does. If a player is a marginal student, the top programs are more likely to back away. A Harvard or Dartmouth is less likely to go after a student who is at great risk for eligibility problems, one because they will have difficulty getting them admitted, and two because they can get impact players without taking the borderline students. A school that is still trying to get their program established but has a lot of scholarships available, can better afford to take a shot on the great player/marginal student.

I think Minnesota has also established themselves as a school that can be a little more selective about who they recruit. Because of factors like facilities, availability of games to family members, and school hockey tradition they will at least be in the hunt for the majority of in-state players and Twin Cities players in particular. So while I may like a particular player (or even an entire line), I have no way of knowing if they are as strong a candidate with all things considered (hockey talent, work ethic, academics, attitude) as someone who the coaching staff may choose over them.

So far, the Gophers have done a great job of bringing in the Minnesota high school players on my wish list. Given next year's seniors include both goalies and Kelly Stephens, I would think a goaltender and a power forward will be near the top of the priority list. Plus since an Olympic year follows, some other irreplaceable losses loom as well.

[brookyone]

I would think a goaltender and a power forward would be near the top of the priority list Agreed...and have I mentioned my candidate for that power forward position three or four times yet ?

[ARM]

Well, she <i>is</i> a right wing, like Stephens.

[tomnyman101]

Maybe some of the talented SSP players will follow Ashley Albrecht and go the U.:)

[ARM]

I think that once you have players from a program on your team, you have a better chance of attracting more. For instance, I recognized potential D-I recruits from SSP, Hibbing, and Blaine at this weekend's games. When they show up to watch former teammates, they see what the atmosphere of your building is like without having to make an official visit.

[brookyone]

I noticed. The SSP girls pulled up a couple rows directly behind me during the second period. Those two big state patches on their letter jackets looked quite impressive. Certainly hope they enjoyed the atmosphere at Ridder.

[ARM]

Originally posted by brookyone
SSP is at 61 straight now I think. I'm not sure they will lose one as some have predicted.

Well, they didn't lose, but the winning streak is over. South St. Paul and Cloquet/Esko/Carlton played to a 1-1 tie last night. This is the third straight time these two have been tied at the end of regulation.

[klars]

A link to the Duluth News Tribune article on the SSP/CEC game:

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthtribune/sports/7401633.htm

[brookyone]

Well, if it had to end, no team more fitting than C/E/C I guess. Also sounds like Ellison is consistently outstanding in the net.

[brettash]

Originally posted by brookyone
Well, if it had to end, no team more fitting than C/E/C I guess. Also sounds like Ellison is consistently outstanding in the net.

Ellison is good, as her saves showed, but the CEC defense is also huge. SSP spent the majority of the game in front of Ellison and pretty much all of CEC's chances came from Tamara Price -- is she going anywher next year? -- and Liz Palkie's break outs. CEC rarely set up offensively, even during a power play. CEC looked their best during the OT. Stohr plays really smart and really sets things up. She and Fisher are a good combo.