Blake Biondi added to NTDP roster for World U17 Hockey Challenge (Nov. 3-10)

[JerseyDave]

"U.S. Roster Set for 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge"
* Tournament to be held Nov. 3-10 in Saint John & Quispamsis, N.B.
By USAHockeyNTDP.com, 10/30/18, 5:30PM EDT

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – USA Hockey announced today the 22-player roster for its 2018 U.S. National Under-17 Team, which will compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Nov. 3-10 in Saint John & Quispamsis, New Brunswick. The roster includes 20 full-time members of the 2018-19 U.S. National Under-17 Team, part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program based in Plymouth, Michigan. Also added to the roster is goaltender Colin Purcell (Shaker Heights, Ohio) and forward Blake Biondi (Hermantown, Minn.).
https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/news_article/show/963998

Roster:
https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/u17challenge2018roster

[greenwayraider]

Biondi is way too good a player to be playing high school hockey. He should be a full time player for the U17s.

[Yoopskater]

What’s the hurry? Enjoy the HS years.

[TheNightman]

Wouldn't surprise me if he played this year at Hermantown then joined the U18s next year.

[612hockeytown]

Biondi is way too good a player to be playing high school hockey. He should be a full time player for the U17s.

100% Agree - if that is what he wants. Why can't kids play to the level their talents equates them too without the community chiming in "play with your friends/community?" If he is all for the U17s then go for it! I would also agree that if he wanted to stay through his senior year - their shouldn't be pressure to move up either.

I have seen some great 16/17/18 year olds skate this past 18 months in both the NAHL and USHL and it's a whole different animal, but kids like Brink, Moe, Bischel, Frisch etc etc - why not? All are seeing success and I am missing a few from this year alone.

[WarmUpTheBus]

I think a lot depends on what a kid is trying to accomplish with a move. Take for example a defenseman who is a terrific puck mover and defender but would like to improve his offensive skills. If he moves up to the next level he will be expected to be a good defender and move the puck to the skilled forwards, something he already does well. Maybe staying behind for a year and working on offensive skills against high school competition is the best thing he could do for his overall improvement.

[Slap Shot]

Plenty of high quality kids turn down an invite to play for the NTDP. There is not necessarily a "should" about it. MN doesn't lack for kids making it to NHL that played their Jr and/or Sr. year in HS.

[JerseyDave]

I have seen some great 16/17/18 year olds skate this past 18 months in both the NAHL and USHL and it's a whole different animal, but kids like Brink, Moe, Bischel, Frisch etc etc - why not? All are seeing success and I am missing a few from this year alone.

Speaking of Brink, he's currently tied for second in scoring in the USHL out of 420 players, most of whom are older than him.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/u ... /2018-2019

He was also mentioned again in THN articles on NHL prospects:
https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/ ... t-swinging (Ryder Donovan also listed)
https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/ ... n-red-deer (K'Andre Miller also mentioned)

"Bobby Brink, C, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL): A nifty offensive player who stood out last year as a youngster with Minnetonka high school in Minnesota, Brink is now laying waste to the USHL as a member of the Musketeers. The University of Denver commit and 2019 draft prospect is tied for third in league scoring with 15 points in 10 games. NHL arrival: 2022-23"

[kniven]

Plenty of high quality kids turn down an invite to play for the NTDP. There is not necessarily a "should" about it. MN doesn't lack for kids making it to NHL that played their Jr and/or Sr. year in HS.

Another Minnesota state high school hockey championship is never a bad idea either.......

[hockey59]

Plenty of high quality kids turn down an invite to play for the NTDP. There is not necessarily a "should" about it. MN doesn't lack for kids making it to NHL that played their Jr and/or Sr. year in HS.

Another Minnesota state high school hockey championship is never a bad idea either.......

single a (though)...not AA

[That guy for that thing]

Plenty of high quality kids turn down an invite to play for the NTDP. There is not necessarily a "should" about it. MN doesn't lack for kids making it to NHL that played their Jr and/or Sr. year in HS.

Another Minnesota state high school hockey championship is never a bad idea either.......

single a (though)...not AA

This year. If H-town does go up, and at this point who the hell knows, you never know what will happen.

[MrBoDangles]

Isn't it VERY obvious that Brink developed wonderfully right here in Minnesota. .? I think it's a no brainer to do the before and after in the USHL and also play a full season for Minnetonka and dominate... Also probably be the favorites for a state championship! He'll only develop more by doing this..!

[hockey59]

Every kid is different, Brink is (I believe) 2nd in the USHL in scoring & won a AA State Title last year. Selfishly...a lot of us hope...he returns to Tonka...because he’s so much fun to watch! But again, whatever he decides, it’s his decision to make & I can’t fault him if he decides to stay in the USHL. It’s not for us to determine where he will develop more, that’s up to him (and his family)

[ThatMNHockeyGuy62]

Isn't it VERY obvious that Brink developed wonderfully right here in Minnesota. .? I think it's a no brainer to do the before and after in the USHL and also play a full season for Minnetonka and dominate... Also probably be the favorites for a state championship! He'll only develop more by doing this..!

Brink had a blast at Minnetonka and is a very loyal kid, but his leaving early is just further example that players who transfer/move/open enroll for high school have a lower rate of staying for their senior (or junior) years. Didn’t grow up a childhood fan of the program and once you leave once, it gets easier to leave the next time.

Again, wish Bobby the best in USHL, and it rather makes sense in his situation, but we shouldn’t be all too surprised.

[blueline_6]

Every kid is different, Brink is (I believe) 2nd in the USHL in scoring & won a AA State Title last year. Selfishly...a lot of us hope...he returns to Tonka...because he’s so much fun to watch! But again, whatever he decides, it’s his decision to make & I can’t fault him if he decides to stay in the USHL. It’s not for us to determine where he will develop more, that’s up to him (and his family)

Absolutely agree with this, but with one edit:

... that’s up to him (and his family, and the Denver Pioneers).

If he had been in the 2018 NHL draft, I would have included the name of the NHL team that drafted him. Colleges and NHL teams have huge influence on whether a kid stays in high school or heads to USHL.

[MrBoDangles]

Every kid is different, Brink is (I believe) 2nd in the USHL in scoring & won a AA State Title last year. Selfishly...a lot of us hope...he returns to Tonka...because he’s so much fun to watch! But again, whatever he decides, it’s his decision to make & I can’t fault him if he decides to stay in the USHL. It’s not for us to determine where he will develop more, that’s up to him (and his family)

Absolutely agree with this, but with one edit:

... that’s up to him (and his family, and the Denver Pioneers).

If he had been in the 2018 NHL draft, I would have included the name of the NHL team that drafted him. Colleges and NHL teams have huge influence on whether a kid stays in high school or heads to USHL.

Agree.. and he would develop fine both ways but the business surrounding these talented - young kids kicks in.. It will be fun to follow him the next few years.

[JerseyDave]

It will be fun to follow him the next few years.

Brink scored all three goals for Sioux City in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Omaha last night. Bryce Brodzinski scored for Omaha:

"Bobby Brink scores hat trick to rally Muskies past Omaha"
https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/hoc ... e2033.html

"A HAT TRICK FROM BOBBY BRINK LIFTS THE MUSKETEERS OVER THE LANCERS"
https://www.musketeershockey.com/news_a ... how/965382

Brink is still second in scoring in the USHL:
https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/u ... /2018-2019