To answer your first question, I actually think this WI group is average to slightly above average for WI. I have seen years where there has been better and deeper talent and I have also seen years where it's been worse. Because WI doesn't have the aformentioned yearly depth it can be a bit "cardiac" so to speak from year to year but I'd call this a good group, deeper defensively than some years but not as good offensively so it evens out I guess.O-townClown wrote:Obviously the Minnesota list is going to be about the same every year. Not the names, but the team strength. Like Canada's team for the World Juniors.
Do you feel this group from Wisconsin is a really good group coming through, or is it like this every year?
Yes, the OHL is a peg above the USHL. That said, you are picking guys that are simply on the teams and not setting the world on fire. (Don't take this the wrong way.) Are middle-of-the-pack guys there better than the upper-end of the USHL? No. Ambroz - and others - could play up there too.
Sure you want to list Batcha? One point this year in the USHL.
I agree Ambrosz and others could play up there too. However, how would a middle of the pack guy in the OHL (since it is a notch above) do in the USHL. It's hard to say because we haven't seen those exact players play in both. I know when Racino as an example played for TW, H.S. and AAA mm he lit it up everywhere he went so I know he is pretty darn good, so tough to say how he'd do in USHL but I suspect he'd do well, just a hunch though.
As for Batcha, I listed more than 9 forwards and I omitted some really good players off of TW and the AAA MM and mm teams, so he may or may not make the final cut. But Batcha was never a pure goal scorer though IMHO, he's be more of a role player, you need good role players to make good teams, not everyone can be the scorer or playmaker, someone's gotta forecheck and backcheck and do the dirty work. There is a player on TW who's TW stats are nonexistant and who's high school stats would even make you go "What is he doing on TW, how did he make it over this guy or this guy??" etc.... but he is the high energy forechecking bust a gut role player forward and that is why he makes that team consistantly. You make the whole team out of "stars" and in my experience you don't end up having a "team", it's like Brook's says in "Miracle", "I'm not looking for the best players, I'm looking for the right players".
P.S. I've enjoyed the articulate nonconfrontaitonal discussion on the topic with you. It's fun to speculate on such things.
Will all those kids even make it to D-1? The averages say NO! 
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