Freshman leaves Benilde mid-season for the WHL

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:40 pm

Here's a new one on me. Benilde lost a freshman today (won't say his name till they make it public) mid-season to the WHL. I guess there is a price to pay for playing your top line 40 minutes a game. Soetimes enuff is enuff, especially if you are an elite recruit who is used to playing. I know we lost a couple post season last year, but losing freshman mid-season now? The times they are-a-changin ...

GatorLand · Post by **GatorLand** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:57 pm

Attn elite recruits...you might not be The Man your freshman year at BSM.

Super elite recruits...you are awesome no matter where you play

spectatorfun · Post by **spectatorfun** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:27 pm

good luck to him. It is not easy and if they made promises they most likely won't be kept. He would be better off going to college. The whl is a mans league and a business. I hope he knows what he is doing.

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:37 pm

Will he still be eligible to participate in the Minnesota Select 16 festival?

I notice Iverson didn't last year, but still got an invitation to Rochester. Was it Iversons decision to skip Select 16's or was he not nominated due to his defection? Anyone know?

Also, if it doesn't work out for the kid, is he welcomed back with open arms to the MSHSL or does signing a WHL contract eliminate him from further eligibility? I've heard conflicting opinions on this.

spectatorfun · Post by **spectatorfun** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:38 pm

here is the link
http://www.vancouvergiants.com/article/ ... -alec-baer

If hes not 1st or 2nd line on vancouver, he won't be playing much there either, its a really tough league to make it and not worth the risk of giving up time to grow and college. big mistake

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:40 pm

spectatorfun wrote:here is the link
http://www.vancouvergiants.com/article/ ... -alec-baer

If hes not 1st or 2nd line on vancouver, he won't be playing much there either, its a really tough league to make it and not worth the risk of giving up time to grow and college. big mistake

That link doesn't specifically say he has signed, but I do notice he has been removed from the BSM roster @ mnhockeyhub.com

I'm not sure if there has been any "official" word. Just rumors so far that appear to add up

coach95 · Post by **coach95** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:47 pm

If he signs he done. He can never play college hockey in the states and high school is out of the picture. He would have been better off staying. There was no reason for him to jump ship and not in the middle of the year. I wonder how happy the other kids that left for the Whl are? Hope he knows what he gave up:(

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:54 pm

coach95 wrote:If he signs he done. He can never play college hockey in the states and high school is out of the picture. He would have been better off staying. There was no reason for him to jump ship and not in the middle of the year. I wonder how happy the other kids that left for the Whl are? Hope he knows what he gave up:(

What about the post season Minnesota Festivals? Is he done for that too? I know he represented Minnesota at the 15's last year in Rochester. Since high school coaches select the High Performance Select 16 participants, is he eligible for those festivals, or is that reserved for Minnesota High School students?

blueblood · Post by **blueblood** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:59 pm

Why would his HS coach nominate him? He just left that team for "greener pastures."

Post by **karl(east)** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:11 pm

I have received a message challenging the accuracy of this report.

This thread will be locked until we have further information.

Bonehead · Post by **Bonehead** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:53 pm

Just a bump to help move the conversation back on topic!

I think coach Pauly is very aware that players have the ability to shop around in the current system and wants to send a strong team message:

The shop stops here!

GatorLand · Post by **GatorLand** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:49 pm

I doubt Pauly has stopped his recruiting of players for next year, so his players should not ignore opportunities that present themselves.

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:05 pm

Just to bring up to speed.

This posted by HockeySLP PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:26 pm

Being an SLP guy, I am not a fan of Baer leaving our program for BSM, but Pauly is an ass on this one. Alec went to Vancouver to visit the WHL, and called Pauly to let him know he was going to miss a practice. Pauly said there will be repercussions. When Alec got back, Pauley pulled him out of class on Monday and told him that he is off the team. Then Pauly would not take or return the parents call. Very Classy. The parents spoke with BSM's AD, and asked what if he was visiting a college? That would have been OK, but it is not OK to visit the WHL because they are a bunch of leaches.

When I heard that I was thinking pot meet kettle.

Nuts&Bolts · Post by **Nuts&Bolts** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:17 pm

He's a red shirt freshman so an old 97 former Fire player. KP had to know #10 wasn't a long term solution for BSM and would last only one or two years. The timing is strange but maybe there were some issues with grades as the rumor was he struggled a bit in the classroom which is a part of being an eligible HS athlete.

coach95 · Post by **coach95** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:40 pm

Alex should ask Iverson how his experience has been so far before he signs. I know the two played together when they were younger. My guess is Iverson wishes he went the college route instead of the WHl. But, he is a bigger kid and is on the best team in the CHL. Vancouver is not that strong, so he should get some playing time. He should try to get bigger before he makes the jump.

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:05 pm

coach95 wrote:Alex should ask Iverson how his experience has been so far before he signs. I know the two played together when they were younger. My guess is Iverson wishes he went the college route instead of the WHl. But, he is a bigger kid and is on the best team in the CHL. Vancouver is not that strong, so he should get some playing time. He should try to get bigger before he makes the jump.

Iverson is being projected by many as a first rounder in the 14' Draft
Bittner is starting to be projected as a first rounder in the 15' Draft

But both are large framed kids at Portland

puck81 · Post by **puck81** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 10:01 pm

D3Referee wrote:Just to bring up to speed.

This posted by HockeySLP PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:26 pm

Being an SLP guy, I am not a fan of Baer leaving our program for BSM, but Pauly is an ass on this one. Alec went to Vancouver to visit the WHL, and called Pauly to let him know he was going to miss a practice. Pauly said there will be repercussions. When Alec got back, Pauley pulled him out of class on Monday and told him that he is off the team. Then Pauly would not take or return the parents call. Very Classy. The parents spoke with BSM's AD, and asked what if he was visiting a college? That would have been OK, but it is not OK to visit the WHL because they are a bunch of leaches.

When I heard that I was thinking pot meet kettle.

There is ALWAYS two sides to every story so I'd hold off on the name calling. I know Ken Pauly and he IS NOT an ass as you claim. Being an SLP guy you might be biased and a little upset about the kid leaving your program so relax on the name calling. In addition, I've watched BSM plenty this year and Baer was getting plenty of ice time. Perhaps you should call Pauly an ass to his face and see how that goes.

spectatorfun · Post by **spectatorfun** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 10:44 pm

not positive but I think Baer can't play in the WHL until he is 16. Not sure where he's going to play now that he's off the Benilde team. He should have waited. Nice win tonight by Benilde!!!!!

Mailman · Post by **Mailman** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:03 am

MrBoDangles wrote:
coach95 wrote:Alex should ask Iverson how his experience has been so far before he signs. I know the two played together when they were younger. My guess is Iverson wishes he went the college route instead of the WHl. But, he is a bigger kid and is on the best team in the CHL. Vancouver is not that strong, so he should get some playing time. He should try to get bigger before he makes the jump.
Iverson is being projected by many as a first rounder in the 14' Draft
Bittner is starting to be projected as a first rounder in the 15' Draft

But both are large framed kids at Portland

Sources of this info please ?

D3Referee · Post by **D3Referee** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:14 am

MrBoDangles wrote:
coach95 wrote:Alex should ask Iverson how his experience has been so far before he signs. I know the two played together when they were younger. My guess is Iverson wishes he went the college route instead of the WHl. But, he is a bigger kid and is on the best team in the CHL. Vancouver is not that strong, so he should get some playing time. He should try to get bigger before he makes the jump.
Iverson is being projected by many as a first rounder in the 14' Draft
Bittner is starting to be projected as a first rounder in the 15' Draft

But both are large framed kids at Portland

Dead on Bo! Both of those kids are thriving in the WHL. They are part of a 3-man, 16 year old rotation at forward along with Piere Turgeons kid, Dominic.

Currenty, Iverson is being asked to play more of a shutdown/agitator roll while Bittner is being utilized more in an offensive capacity. Both are learning what it's like to be coached and playing roles for their teams that suit the team rather than the individual.

Next season both will take on even bigger roles for their club, and I have heard as well from WHL guys, that both are on pace to be NHL first rounders.

To be clear, the WHL is not for everybody, but it fits these two like a glove.

(Jack Walker is also doing quite well in Victoria, on a similar rotation with 2 other 16 year old defensemen)

Someone earlier asked about 15 year olds playing in the WHL. The way the rule currently stands, they can play up to 5 games as Affiliate players and are eligible to join the club full time once their winter team is finished for the season. Not sure where that leaves Baer. It appears HE IS DONE FOR THE SEASON, but HIS TEAM (BSM) could go right through to March 9. Also, I am not sure the WHL can affiliate Minnesota High School players, as varsity players, I believe but could be wrong, are not part of USA Hockey/ I am sure something can be done for him, but I'm not sure what

Tenoverpar · Post by **Tenoverpar** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:53 am

Everyone in Minnesota should just root for these kids to well in their chase of the dream. Anyone who thinks the WHL route is not a good one for a kid who really is a legit NHL prospect, should really consider the recent statistics of Canadian Junior hockey players going to the NHL versus Minnesota High School players.

IMHO..If you have an NHL size body with some speed, skill and grit and can play, the WHL is a better long term fit for development towards your goal of the being an NHL player.

Either way, if you are good enough and someone loves your game, it doesn't matter where you play.

HockeySLP · Post by **HockeySLP** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:47 am

puck81 wrote:
D3Referee wrote:Just to bring up to speed.

This posted by HockeySLP PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:26 pm

Being an SLP guy, I am not a fan of Baer leaving our program for BSM, but Pauly is an ass on this one. Alec went to Vancouver to visit the WHL, and called Pauly to let him know he was going to miss a practice. Pauly said there will be repercussions. When Alec got back, Pauley pulled him out of class on Monday and told him that he is off the team. Then Pauly would not take or return the parents call. Very Classy. The parents spoke with BSM's AD, and asked what if he was visiting a college? That would have been OK, but it is not OK to visit the WHL because they are a bunch of leaches.

When I heard that I was thinking pot meet kettle.
There is ALWAYS two sides to every story so I'd hold off on the name calling. I know Ken Pauly and he IS NOT an ass as you claim. Being an SLP guy you might be biased and a little upset about the kid leaving your program so relax on the name calling. In addition, I've watched BSM plenty this year and Baer was getting plenty of ice time. Perhaps you should call Pauly an ass to his face and see how that goes.

One more thing, this thread is not correct, he was only visiting the WHL, he did not plan on leaving anytime soon.

minnscout · Post by **minnscout** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:56 am

if your an Elite 15- 16 year old is the WHL a good move? Maybe for some but not for most. I know plenty of kids that were told they were future 1st round picks and for whatever reason it did'nt work out. Do you want to ship your kid out @ 15 or 16? Sure some of the players make the NHL and its all fine and dandy but most dont. I would much rather have my kid educated (Benilde fantastic school) and have the chance to go NCAA. Look at the NHL rosters, the number of NCAA players has climbed and climbed every year where now the NHL has a good % of their players from NCAA. 10-15 years ago almost the entire league was CHL players not any more. I think what is being realized is that playing less games but practicing more and gaining the maturity off the ice in the end is a great route. Will Baer make the NHL? Maybe. With Baer make the NHL if he plays in CHL or MSHL than NCAA? Maybe. Parents dont listen to the advisors, do what is best for you kid. Once the kid is a junior or senior and has dominated his current level of hockey than maybe look for options but stop rushing these kids along.
The CHL is really watered down, it is not the league it was 10 years ago.

minnscout · Post by **minnscout** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:05 am

SLP- be real, the kid made a terrible choice and wishes he could do it all over again.

slyer · Post by **slyer** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:09 am

it's all about me, todays world we forgot what team means, i can't believe anyone would leave a team midseason herbie had the best quote ever it's not the name on the back, it's the name on the FRONT. keep telling your kids that

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