Apple Valley's Michaelson Turns Down NTDP offer....

[muckandgrind]

From MNHOCKEYHUB.com

A.J. Michaelson, the Apple Valley forward ranked No. 1 on the Hockey Hub's list of the state's top 30 sophomores, has declined an offer to join the U.S. National Developmental Team Program's national Under-17 team for next season, according to Apple Valley coach Jerry Hayes.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Michaelson attended the developmental program's evaluation camp March 27-30 in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was offered a spot on the U-17 team and originally given until Monday, April 12 to make his decision. Michaelson was given an extension from that original deadline and on Sunday evening decided to stay at Apple Valley and play for the Eagles next season.

Michaelson had 19 goals and 16 assists for the Eagles last season despite missing seven games with a groin injury. He returned to the lineup in time to lead Apple Valley to its first state tournament appearance since 1994.

Michaelson played for Section 3A/AA in the Reebok High Performance Minnesota Hockey Advanced 16s Festival April 16-18 at Plymouth Ice Arena and scored two goals in three games

[Lakeviewing]

If A.J. Michaelson has a chance with Ann Arbor, he needs to go. Sorry, Apple Valley, but he needs to play at a higher level than high school, if he is that good.

From MNHOCKEYHUB.com

A.J. Michaelson, the Apple Valley forward ranked No. 1 on the Hockey Hub's list of the state's top 30 sophomores, has declined an offer to join the U.S. National Developmental Team Program's national Under-17 team for next season, according to Apple Valley coach Jerry Hayes.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Michaelson attended the developmental program's evaluation camp March 27-30 in Ann Arbor, Mich. He was offered a spot on the U-17 team and originally given until Monday, April 12 to make his decision. Michaelson was given an extension from that original deadline and on Sunday evening decided to stay at Apple Valley and play for the Eagles next season.

Michaelson had 19 goals and 16 assists for the Eagles last season despite missing seven games with a groin injury. He returned to the lineup in time to lead Apple Valley to its first state tournament appearance since 1994.

Michaelson played for Section 3A/AA in the Reebok High Performance Minnesota Hockey Advanced 16s Festival April 16-18 at Plymouth Ice Arena and scored two goals in three games

[GoldenBear]

Disagree 100% with he has to go to Michigan "if he is that good". His hockey career will not be made or broken as a result of this decision. His, future as a great person could be screwed up by going to Michigan. GB

[Moose Jaw, SK]

Disagree 100% with he has to go to Michigan "if he is that good". His hockey career will not be made or broken as a result of this decision. His, future as a great person could be screwed up by going to Michigan. GB

Maybe but the amount of time, coaching, consulting, and competition the NTDP could provide him is second to none and no high school conference or coach can prepare a kid for the NHL the way the NTDP can. Just look at world juniors and U-18's. These last few years the US is getting more and more competitive and even beating Canada. Many of those players are from the NTDP. Plus he already played in the state tourney so if I were him I would have been pumped at the idea of Ann Arbor. But every kid is different and it will make HS hockey better to have kids like that stick around.

[Glovesreallysmell]

He made the right decision because it was his to make. His future success will also be driven by him. As awesome of a hockey player that he is, he is really a great all around athlete. Pretty darn good golfer and QB(although he doesn't play anymore). And....he is a really good kid!

[rudy]

Now that someone has raised the NHL question, I ask:

How many years has the development program been operating?
How many forwards have gone through the program?
How many made it to the NHL?

[Vinko Bogataj]

He made the right decision because it was his to make. His future success will also be driven by him. As awesome of a hockey player that he is, he is really a great all around athlete. Pretty darn good golfer and QB(although he doesn't play anymore). And....he is a really good kid!

Correct. He is a great kid from an outstanding family. He is a reflection of his parents who are about the nicest people you could meet. I am 110% sure he will have a bright future. Valley is lucky to have him on board. If Fasching sticks around a few more years as well (and it sounds like he will too), the Eagles will be a very formidable squad. Should be a lot of fun watching these guys down here! As for AJ, not an easy decision I'm sure as I've heard (5th hand) he was being pressed to go USNDT by a big time college program. Kudos to him for doing what is right for him and his family.

[russiawithlove]

i just dont know how you dont take the full ride scholarship to college that u get with going to the usndp. A choice like that is pretty tough to pass up

[Gopher Blog]

i just dont know how you dont take the full ride scholarship to college that u get with going to the usndp. A choice like that is pretty tough to pass up

Barring something unforeseen, he's going to get a hefty scholarship whether he goes to the NTDP or not.

[iwearmysunglassesatnight]

[quote="Gopher Blog"][quote="russiawithlove"]i just dont know how you dont take the full ride scholarship to college that u get with going to the usndp. A choice like that is pretty tough to pass up[/quote]

Barring something unforeseen, he's going to get a hefty scholarship whether he goes to the NTDP or not.[/quote]

north dakota/wisconsin/msu/ and the gophers he can pick his scholarship.
I may just have to become a Sioux fan. Maybe Blais will be the key to keeping him in Mpls

[old goalie85]

He's only going to be a junior. Plenty of time after next year to play elswhere. [USHL]

[The Exiled One]

Now that someone has raised the NHL question, I ask:

How many years has the development program been operating?
How many forwards have gone through the program?
How many made it to the NHL?

Who's going to have that information off the top of their head?

Me, that's who.

Well, I have part of the information. Of the 55 NTDP forwards born in 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88 who are no longer in school, 22 have played at least one game in the NHL. A few of those other 33 will have a chance to play in the NHL at some point.

So, I think you can reasonably say that roughly 50% of NTDP forwards will play in the NHL at some point.

[hockeyjunkie2]

Very happy to have him returning to the line-up next year!

[Geno Snipes]

Look at their team next year.. he obviously wants to go back to the tourney and maybe win it. Good for him we should be happy a MN high school kid decided to stay in the state of hockey