NHL Midterm Rankings

[Gopher Blog]

PS - Given where he is ranked in the North American rankings (which don't have any of the prospects from Europe, etc), Nanne will probably go undrafted anyway. There are only 7 rounds and a little over 200 or so players selected in a draft. Odds aren't great that a kid ranked near 200 in the North American rankings is going to get drafted.

[starmvp]

PS - Given where he is ranked in the North American rankings (which don't have any of the prospects from Europe, etc), Nanne will probably go undrafted anyway. There are only 7 rounds and a little over 200 or so players selected in a draft. Odds aren't great that a kid ranked near 200 in the North American rankings is going to get drafted.

7th round Minnesota Wild

[Gopher Blog]

7th round Minnesota Wild

We'll mark it down and see if you are correct.

[Neuuman]

As keepyourheadup said, look up a list of kids drafted who are under 6 feet. This is just an assumption, but I would be willing to bet that they were all highly touted scorers as youth kids. Its just too easy to find a 6' 2" "team player" over a 5' 10" "team player".

forwards in the NHL under 6 feet:

Mike Comrie:5' 10" as a 17 year old scored 138 points in 58 games in the Alberta junior league
Steve Sullivan: 5' 8" as an 18 year old 63 points in 62 games in the OHL.
Andy Mcdonald:5' 8" 58 points in 34 games his senior year for the Colgate Raiders, went undrafted and has been in the NHL since 2001.
Doug Weight: 5' 11" as an 18 year old had 69 points in 46 games for Lake Superior State.
Darren Helm: 5' 11" as a 19 year old had 79 points in 70 games in the WHL. He is your protypical "team player" in the NHL.
Mark Recchi: 5' 10" as a 16 year old playing in the BCHL he had 65 points in 51 games.
Jeff Skinner: 5' 11" as a 16 year old 97 points in 50 games played in the GTHL.
Jussi Jokinen: 5' 11" an anomaly on this list, played in european professional leagues and scored under a point per game in his career there starting at the age of 17.
Scott Gomez: 5' 11"
Kris Versteeg: 5' 10"
Brian Gionta: 5' 7"as a freshmen fpr Boston College had 62 points in 40 games.
Claude Giroux: 5' 11"
Saku Koivu:5' 10"
Matt Duchene: 5' 11"
Daniel Alfredsson: 5' 11"
Danny Briere: 5' 10" as a 17 year old had 123 points in 72 games in the QMJHL.
Mike Richards: 5' 11"
Henrik Zetterberg: 5' 11"
Martin St. Louis: 5' 7" undrafted had 87 points 31 games playing in the CJHL as a 17 year old.
Pavel Datsyuk: 5' 11"
Patrick Kane: 5' 11"
Syndey Crosby: 5' 11"

Just a quick cursory search for NHLers. Left out statistics for some of the big name guys since I don't believe any MN-High player is challenging to be an NHL superstar this year.

These players came off list for the top 30 NHL players under 6 feet. There is obviously an emphasis on scoring when little guys are considered for the NHL, which makes me question Louie Nanne's name on the list. A guy like Kloos at 5' 9" scoring over 3 points a game seams to resemble the guys on that list a lot more than Nanne statistically speaking. I emphasize that this is not meant to be a shot at Nanne, or an accusation that he is on the list because of his last name. I am simply showing that most of the time players under 6 feet need to be more than a "team player", as was stated earlier, but also put the puck in the net. My favorite example is Darren Helm. He is nothing more than a team player, penalty killer for the Red Wings. Yet, he was drafted 132nd overall, while scoring more than a point per game throughout juniors.

Let's all take this list for what it is - a relatively small number of NHL paid scouts who are ranking North American players based on their projections of who MAY be capable of playing in the NHL one day. Looking at your typical NHL roster, it's not surprising that certain highly skilled MN high school players were left off solely based on their height.

Jake Randolph - 5'9" - not ranked
Dylan Steman - 5'9" - not ranked
Justin Kloos - 5'9" - not ranked

For these three players (and I'm sure I missed some others), I don't think ANY scout at any level would say they aren't every bit as good, or better, than the MN HS players who are ranked right now as HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS. It's the old basketball adage - you can't coach size. These "unranked" players should not be discouraged - if they keep moving up and excelling they will be given an opportunity at the NHL level. If not, Central Scouting didn't do that poorly. I don't want to single any of the ranked players out by name, but there are a couple very "head scratching?*@#" MN HS ranked players. IMHO.

[The Insider]

As keepyourheadup said, look up a list of kids drafted who are under 6 feet. This is just an assumption, but I would be willing to bet that they were all highly touted scorers as youth kids. Its just too easy to find a 6' 2" "team player" over a 5' 10" "team player".

forwards in the NHL under 6 feet:

Mike Comrie:5' 10" as a 17 year old scored 138 points in 58 games in the Alberta junior league
Steve Sullivan: 5' 8" as an 18 year old 63 points in 62 games in the OHL.
Andy Mcdonald:5' 8" 58 points in 34 games his senior year for the Colgate Raiders, went undrafted and has been in the NHL since 2001.
Doug Weight: 5' 11" as an 18 year old had 69 points in 46 games for Lake Superior State.
Darren Helm: 5' 11" as a 19 year old had 79 points in 70 games in the WHL. He is your protypical "team player" in the NHL.
Mark Recchi: 5' 10" as a 16 year old playing in the BCHL he had 65 points in 51 games.
Jeff Skinner: 5' 11" as a 16 year old 97 points in 50 games played in the GTHL.
Jussi Jokinen: 5' 11" an anomaly on this list, played in european professional leagues and scored under a point per game in his career there starting at the age of 17.
Scott Gomez: 5' 11"
Kris Versteeg: 5' 10"
Brian Gionta: 5' 7"as a freshmen fpr Boston College had 62 points in 40 games.
Claude Giroux: 5' 11"
Saku Koivu:5' 10"
Matt Duchene: 5' 11"
Daniel Alfredsson: 5' 11"
Danny Briere: 5' 10" as a 17 year old had 123 points in 72 games in the QMJHL.
Mike Richards: 5' 11"
Henrik Zetterberg: 5' 11"
Martin St. Louis: 5' 7" undrafted had 87 points 31 games playing in the CJHL as a 17 year old.
Pavel Datsyuk: 5' 11"
Patrick Kane: 5' 11"
Syndey Crosby: 5' 11"

Just a quick cursory search for NHLers. Left out statistics for some of the big name guys since I don't believe any MN-High player is challenging to be an NHL superstar this year.

These players came off list for the top 30 NHL players under 6 feet. There is obviously an emphasis on scoring when little guys are considered for the NHL, which makes me question Louie Nanne's name on the list. A guy like Kloos at 5' 9" scoring over 3 points a game seams to resemble the guys on that list a lot more than Nanne statistically speaking. I emphasize that this is not meant to be a shot at Nanne, or an accusation that he is on the list because of his last name. I am simply showing that most of the time players under 6 feet need to be more than a "team player", as was stated earlier, but also put the puck in the net. My favorite example is Darren Helm. He is nothing more than a team player, penalty killer for the Red Wings. Yet, he was drafted 132nd overall, while scoring more than a point per game throughout juniors.

These are all top tier players with incredible skill to make up for the lack of size. Majority of these players come from the CHL

[The Insider]

As keepyourheadup said, look up a list of kids drafted who are under 6 feet. This is just an assumption, but I would be willing to bet that they were all highly touted scorers as youth kids. Its just too easy to find a 6' 2" "team player" over a 5' 10" "team player".

forwards in the NHL under 6 feet:

Mike Comrie:5' 10" as a 17 year old scored 138 points in 58 games in the Alberta junior league
Steve Sullivan: 5' 8" as an 18 year old 63 points in 62 games in the OHL.
Andy Mcdonald:5' 8" 58 points in 34 games his senior year for the Colgate Raiders, went undrafted and has been in the NHL since 2001.
Doug Weight: 5' 11" as an 18 year old had 69 points in 46 games for Lake Superior State.
Darren Helm: 5' 11" as a 19 year old had 79 points in 70 games in the WHL. He is your protypical "team player" in the NHL.
Mark Recchi: 5' 10" as a 16 year old playing in the BCHL he had 65 points in 51 games.
Jeff Skinner: 5' 11" as a 16 year old 97 points in 50 games played in the GTHL.
Jussi Jokinen: 5' 11" an anomaly on this list, played in european professional leagues and scored under a point per game in his career there starting at the age of 17.
Scott Gomez: 5' 11"
Kris Versteeg: 5' 10"
Brian Gionta: 5' 7"as a freshmen fpr Boston College had 62 points in 40 games.
Claude Giroux: 5' 11"
Saku Koivu:5' 10"
Matt Duchene: 5' 11"
Daniel Alfredsson: 5' 11"
Danny Briere: 5' 10" as a 17 year old had 123 points in 72 games in the QMJHL.
Mike Richards: 5' 11"
Henrik Zetterberg: 5' 11"
Martin St. Louis: 5' 7" undrafted had 87 points 31 games playing in the CJHL as a 17 year old.
Pavel Datsyuk: 5' 11"
Patrick Kane: 5' 11"
Syndey Crosby: 5' 11"

Just a quick cursory search for NHLers. Left out statistics for some of the big name guys since I don't believe any MN-High player is challenging to be an NHL superstar this year.

These players came off list for the top 30 NHL players under 6 feet. There is obviously an emphasis on scoring when little guys are considered for the NHL, which makes me question Louie Nanne's name on the list. A guy like Kloos at 5' 9" scoring over 3 points a game seams to resemble the guys on that list a lot more than Nanne statistically speaking. I emphasize that this is not meant to be a shot at Nanne, or an accusation that he is on the list because of his last name. I am simply showing that most of the time players under 6 feet need to be more than a "team player", as was stated earlier, but also put the puck in the net. My favorite example is Darren Helm. He is nothing more than a team player, penalty killer for the Red Wings. Yet, he was drafted 132nd overall, while scoring more than a point per game throughout juniors.

These are all top tier players with incredible skill to make up for the lack of size. Majority of these players come from the CHL

[C-dad]

Thats fine. I am sure there are a few kids that are NCAA players that are not counted on this list (I did not make this list, just read what was posted) but there will not even be half of what Maj. Jr. sends!!

I am just tired of the Major Junior being "dismissed" by so many MN people. It is still the top producer of talent to the NHL...BY FAR and my hope is that more kids will give it a look (if they are good enough to play)

If we, the USA, want to see more players in the NHL then this league NEEDS to be more of an option for our players. And yes, I am a former WHL player that did not go the NCAA route, yes I made it to the NHL, yes I graduated from Collage (attended while playing Maj. Jr. and finished over the next 5 years).

Did they have any English classes at that Collage you went to?

[StreetStix]

WOW!!

Major Junior =122

NCAA=6

Well, at least you get an education.........

Pretty sure that the majority of college players who are actually NHL-worthy are already drafted. That's why they aren't in the 2012 Draft rankings.

Wouldn't the same be said for Maj. Jr. players as well???? This is for THIS YEARS draft.....

Yea I would think so, that's why the MJ number is surprising to me. But the NCAA one isn't. This year is 2012.

[keepyourheadup]

I think that was spectators point.

[Tigers33]

Oldschoolpuckster - Was that a canadian collage or american college? Give it a rest. Of course major junior is a great place to go for development and competition. So is the NCAA. Look at how many players are currently drafted that are playing college hockey. Most the elite college players are drafted before they play college hockey, but I am sure you knew that.

[MNHockeyFan]

http://kstp.com/sports/stories/S2449686.shtml?cat=7

[Night Train]

would you like the cisar bros. on this list?

I think that is the point exactly. It's like the fuss around Benik a couple of years ago. Scorers score. Either of the Cisar brothers would have over 20 points skating on Edina.

[21Swagger]

You can give me the argument that the Don didn't recruit him bc of his offensive skills and the team needs more 'role' players and 'character' guys who are gonna stick around 4 years and grind on the 3rd and 4th line, but even the guys who play on the 3rd and 4th line for the Don were skilled offensive players at the prior level and all put up very respectable numbers.

A number of those guys that are scoring types in HS hockey have a difficult time transitioning to a 3rd or 4th line role in college. Big HS scorers often don't make a smooth transition to a 3rd/4th line role.

Maybe it is a bit smarter to bring in a kid who you know has the characteristics and the capability to fill it well without a problem. Nanne is a kid that skates fast, gets his nose dirty, chips in a little offense, and is a team guy. That is exactly what you want out of a 3rd or 4th line college player.

I certainly agree with your point but you don't need to offer those type of role players when they are Juniors in HS. You can wait til later in their development and find plenty of kids to fit that role on your team.

[Cornermukker]

would you like the cisar bros. on this list?

I think that is the point exactly. It's like the fuss around Benik a couple of years ago. Scorers score. Either of the Cisar brothers would have over 20 points skating on Edina.

No they would not.

[Gopher Blog]

I certainly agree with your point but you don't need to offer those type of role players when they are Juniors in HS. You can wait til later in their development and find plenty of kids to fit that role on your team.

I don't entirely disagree. At the same time, if Grandpa Lou is footing the bill (or at least a decent portion of it), what do you really have to lose? It's not like he is taking up a valuable scholarship. Not to mention, he won't be on campus for another 2+ years so he'll have plenty of time to develop.

[eastsideguy]

would you like the cisar bros. on this list?

I think that is the point exactly. It's like the fuss around Benik a couple of years ago. Scorers score. Either of the Cisar brothers would have over 20 points skating on Edina.

Those the guys who play for moose lake? The team who lost to Cooper recently? Yea I'm sure they would be 2nd and 3rd on Edina in Scoring

[MrBoDangles]

I certainly agree with your point but you don't need to offer those type of role players when they are Juniors in HS. You can wait til later in their development and find plenty of kids to fit that role on your team.

I don't entirely disagree. At the same time, if Grandpa Lou is footing the bill (or at least a decent portion of it), what do you really have to lose? It's not like he is taking up a valuable scholarship. Not to mention, he won't be on campus for another 2+ years so he'll have plenty of time to develop.

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

I'm glad you get it now.

[Gopher Blog]

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

[xy]

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

The fact that it costs so much more to attend the U than it used to has probably affected how the Gophers recruit more than people realize. Back in the 80s and 90s you would hear of players turning down free rides elsewhere for partial scholarships to the U, but that option becomes less appealing when the family doing that no longer has to pay something like $4,000 a year, but instead three or four times that.

[MNHockeyFan]

...but that option becomes less appealing when the family doing that no longer has to pay something like $4,000 a year, but instead three or four times that.

Trust me, it's now MORE than three or four times, which only makes your point even more valid.

[The Exiled One]

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

The fact that it costs so much more to attend the U than it used to has probably affected how the Gophers recruit more than people realize. Back in the 80s and 90s you would hear of players turning down free rides elsewhere for partial scholarships to the U, but that option becomes less appealing when the family doing that no longer has to pay something like $4,000 a year, but instead three or four times that.

I wish that made a difference, but I think the truth is that a talented kid will play where he wants to play, money be damned. I know of one kid who'll be paying $10,000 a year for the part of his education his scholarship doesn't cover rather than taking a full ride at a less prestigious school. I think that is the mindset more often than not, but I'm open to hearing other evidence.

[MrBoDangles]

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

There are many players the same caliber, or better, that would take that offer. Change the name and we wouldn't be having this talk.

[OnFrozenPond]

Don't you understand that there are numerous other players with families that would pay most of the bill?

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

There are many players the same caliber, or better, that would take that offer. Change the name and we wouldn't be having this talk.

This discussion wore out its welcome in a previous thread. Why the need to rehash it here?

[MrBoDangles]

The recruiting game tends to prove otherwise (unless a family has a good deal of wealth). Usually that happens when another program comes along and says they'll pony up 75% for their son's talent. Suddenly paying for the bulk of their kid's school doesn't sound quite as attractive.

There are many players the same caliber, or better, that would take that offer. Change the name and we wouldn't be having this talk.

This discussion wore out its welcome in a previous thread. Why the need to rehash it here?

We have it all worked out now.

[Tigers33]

I will take the grandson of Lou Nanne anyday of the week with a scholarship or without. The kid and the family is exactly what the gophers need. Louie will not leave college early, and it would shock me if Vinny left early too. The gophers need those talented players, that work hard, and that will stick around.

Go piss on someone else BoDangles.

Hats off to Louie and Vinny. I think Lou is nothing but class when it comes to a hockey figure in this state. I will gladly cheer on his grand kids at the U of M. And oh, if you think Louie isnt a leader than you are wrong. I believe he is one of the captains on the Edina team. And trust me, Giles doesnt throw those around to anyone. Giles isnt looking to keep the Nanne family happy by naming Louie a captain. I bet ya he earned it.