High School Players Committing to UMD?

[money]

Good morning-

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articl ... ion=sports

The following article certainly shows that Jake is/was being pursued by UMD. He has not accepted yet and is open to playing elsewhere, even out East. Good for him. I hope he finds a good place to play and thrives.
He is a good player but, if UMD isn't the place, so be it.

Later!

$$

[money]

Good morning,

A couple questions I want to throw out there for the minnhock posters:

1. Does anyone know if Drew Olson is coming to UMD next year or will he play a year of junior hockey? I thought this would become clearer over the course of the year but, no word?

2. Any update on JT Brown and whether he has been offered anything from UMD? i really thought something would have happened by now.

Have a great day everyone!

Later,

$$

[hockey59]

I ran into Olson's Dad last Sunday:

Drew is currently planning to play for Omaha next year in the USHL and UMD in 2009.

[money]

Good evening,

Thank you to Hockey59 for the update on Olson.
Much appreciated. I think most players benefit from playing junior hockey for a year. Just gives them time to find their stride and develop physically and mentally. Good news IMO

[saintpaulhockey]

CDH senior Ryan Bohrer and sophomore Mark Alt both visited the UMD locker room after the CDH-Marshall game last week. Bohrer seems like the better fit and more realistic option, becuase Alt is being actively pursued by UMN, UND and UW (not to mention CC and Denver). Both good players though.

[money]

SaintPaulHockey,

Thanks for the update.
I am little shocked that Ryan Bohrer has not commited anywhere. I like him as a player and he seems that he is a very complete player too. I thought he had a good showing at the Select 17 Festival in St Cloud this past summer. If you can, keep us updated on his college interests.

Thanks,

$$

[hawkeyfan]

Good morning-

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articl ... ion=sports

The following article certainly shows that Jake is/was being pursued by UMD. He has not accepted yet and is open to playing elsewhere, even out East. Good for him. I hope he finds a good place to play and thrives.
He is a good player but, if UMD isn't the place, so be it.

Later!

$$

I hope jake goes to UMD but if not i hope he goes to play with cousin at St. cloud state.

[Irish11]

We had UMD and Atlanta Thrashers Scouts at our Senior Night against Lakeville North. No one knows who it was for but if they were there for JT they saw a good game out of him. 2 goals and 3 assists. Hopefully they will offer him something cause he really deserves it.

[ColdasIce]

Good morning-

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articl ... ion=sports

The following article certainly shows that Jake is/was being pursued by UMD. He has not accepted yet and is open to playing elsewhere, even out East. Good for him. I hope he finds a good place to play and thrives.
He is a good player but, if UMD isn't the place, so be it.

Later!

Jake should have accepted whatever offer UMD gave him, wow, can't believe he turned down the Dogs looking for somthing bigger and better, he's a bit overrated and might regret his decision especially after being bothered by injuries this year due to his small size

$$

[Zamboni Guy]

I'm hearing that Chris Stafne from Duluth Denfeld has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. This is a solid acquisition for UMD and hopefully will lead to seeing more Jake Johnson and Chris Stafne moments at the DECC in years to come!

[fkahckyprofessor20]

That's a huge pickup if it's true. He definitely knows how to find the back of the net - something the Dogs obviously don't know how to do this season.

[east hockey]

That's a huge pickup if it's true. He definitely knows how to find the back of the net - something the Dogs obviously don't know how to do this season.

Man, you got that right. They've been held to a goal or less in 12 games this season, including six of their last ten. That's ugly.

Lee

[money]

Good morning,

Does anyone know what schools are after Jokinen?
I read an article at the start of the year saying that he turned down offers from Fairbanks and somewhere out East. Does UMD have any interest? He is rated very high by the NHL scouts.

Just curious...

PS. I hope UMD can get some forwards that put the puck away in the future. It is just brutal to watch this year.

$$

[money]

Good afternoon,

Since the Dogs ended their season going 1-7 and sporting the 57th scoring offense out of 59 NCAA teams, how will this hurt their recruiting efforts with some of the best high school kids - ex. Brown, Saintey, etc.

Personally, I think the staff will find it very hard to get kids to commit to a program that has stuggled mightily the last 3 years at least.
Please share your thoughts if anyone has any ideas....Thanks!

$$

[lakec]

Good afternoon,

Since the Dogs ended their season going 1-7 and sporting the 57th scoring offense out of 59 NCAA teams, how will this hurt their recruiting efforts with some of the best high school kids - ex. Brown, Saintey, etc.

Personally, I think the staff will find it very hard to get kids to commit to a program that has stuggled mightily the last 3 years at least.
Please share your thoughts if anyone has any ideas....Thanks!

$$

I don't think it will hurt their efforts in getting either one of those guys. Remarkably, Brown has gotten very little interest from D1 programs and Saintey apparently has no D1 offers and is nowhere near WCHA quality. If UMD wanted either of those two I'm sure the Dogs wouldn't have a problem getting them.

[formerly7aafan]

Good afternoon,

Since the Dogs ended their season going 1-7 and sporting the 57th scoring offense out of 59 NCAA teams, how will this hurt their recruiting efforts with some of the best high school kids - ex. Brown, Saintey, etc.

Personally, I think the staff will find it very hard to get kids to commit to a program that has stuggled mightily the last 3 years at least.
Please share your thoughts if anyone has any ideas....Thanks!

$$

I don't think it will hurt their efforts in getting either one of those guys. Remarkably, Brown has gotten very little interest from D1 programs and Saintey apparently has no D1 offers and is nowhere near WCHA quality. If UMD wanted either of those two I'm sure the Dogs wouldn't have a problem getting them.

Rumors are that Brown has interest from U Conn, CC, and Denver. The last 2 are naturals being that he is a Colorado native.

[lakec]

Good afternoon,

Since the Dogs ended their season going 1-7 and sporting the 57th scoring offense out of 59 NCAA teams, how will this hurt their recruiting efforts with some of the best high school kids - ex. Brown, Saintey, etc.

Personally, I think the staff will find it very hard to get kids to commit to a program that has stuggled mightily the last 3 years at least.
Please share your thoughts if anyone has any ideas....Thanks!

$$

I don't think it will hurt their efforts in getting either one of those guys. Remarkably, Brown has gotten very little interest from D1 programs and Saintey apparently has no D1 offers and is nowhere near WCHA quality. If UMD wanted either of those two I'm sure the Dogs wouldn't have a problem getting them.

Rumors are that Brown has interest from U Conn, CC, and Denver. The last 2 are naturals being that he is a Colorado native.

We must be talking about different Browns, I'm referring to JT Brown. Not from Colorado.

[formerly7aafan]

My bad.....saw the reference to Jokinen above and assumed (without going back in the thread) that the conversation was about David Brown, Jokinen's teammate in Cloquet.

[hockey59]

Good afternoon,

Since the Dogs ended their season going 1-7 and sporting the 57th scoring offense out of 59 NCAA teams, how will this hurt their recruiting efforts with some of the best high school kids - ex. Brown, Saintey, etc.

Personally, I think the staff will find it very hard to get kids to commit to a program that has stuggled mightily the last 3 years at least.
Please share your thoughts if anyone has any ideas....Thanks!

$$

Money...not really sure what all the hand-wringing is about in your (out of character) post above.

Here's who UMD has coming in offensively (in 08 and 09 so far):

Mike Connolly: 25-41-66 in 37 GP (Team Canada Alum)

Jack Connolly: 19-40-59 in 46 GP (Leads USHL in scoring.)

David Grun: 14-20-34 in 48 GP

Wade Bergman: 13-23-36 in 52 GP, AJHL Rookie of the Year

John O'Neill: 21-26-47 in 25 GP (Team USA Alum..and a 20 point plus scorer in both the 2006 & 2007 Elite League)

Jake Hendrickson: 15-27-42 in 25 GP (Lead Burnsville to State as Jr scoring 71 pts) & a 30 point plus scorer in the 2007 Elite League.

Throw in on D and in Goal:

Brady Hjelle....arguably the best goalie in the USHL

Drew Olson (Team USA Alum)

There are other solid recruits coming in too (Travis O & Luke M. & Max T.)

And some other possible recruits...forwards JT Brown, Ryan Bohrer, Mike Schaber, Cory Thorson, Jake Johnson to name just a few for 09...where at least one spot (and possibly two) is available. So relax money...the sky is not falling, despite the Dogs tough finish this season

[money]

Hockey59 -

I appreciate you sending the list of players that will be arriving on campus over the next couple years. I really do. I don't know what it is, but, I am just so frusterated over the past few years and I just don't know if the ship will be "righted." Seems like we get decent players but, UMD consistently underwhelmes and that point alone drives me nuts.

Overall, I am a loyal fan but, things got to get better. That is all I am saying. Let me know if you hear of any players that are leaning to go to UMD. I am always interested in that kind of stuff.

Thanks,

$$

[Gopher Blog]

I don't blame you Money. There is a difference between bringing in some talent and then actually achieving something with it. Other than the one season, the head coach hasn't done anything to make you believe he can do anything major even if he does bring in a few good players.

[hockey59]

When you consider that the Bulldogs lost Mason Raymond and Matt Niskinen to the NHL after they had played just 2 years for the Bulldogs...I think the Dogs did pretty well this year. They were in the middle of the pack most of the season. Was the 1-7 finish disheartenting? Absolutely...but consider the teams they played...CC, ND, MN & Denver. I attended the Saturday game vs. CC and the Saturday game vs. North Dakota...losing Garrison killed thier power-play, pure and simple, losing his one-time blast from the point. Their top line appeared to be Fontaine, Gergen & Fulton...a nice line, but not exactly Wheeler, Stoa & Barriball. or Billy Sweat & Chad Rau and ?.

The dogs best D, other than Garrison appeared to be Evan Oberg (a freshman) who also missed time with an injury. Stalock is a very good goalie...but appeared to wear down in the 2nd half...Hjelle will greatly help that situation next season...as I think Hjelle will get his fair share of playing time.

The key for the Bulldogs is getting a new Arena approved by the Legislature in this sessions bonding bill...which I think will happen, since Pawlenty knows he screwed Duluth last year when he vetoed the entire bonding bill rather than line item vetoing out the things he wanted out..this year is a bonding bill year and he's on record supporting a new DECC.

A new DECC opening in the Fall of 2011-2012 would really help recruiting going forward (the current DECC was built in 1966)..its a fun place to watch a game (all good sight line seats), but the other ammenities are woefully inadequate...especially the concourse surrounding the arena and the tiny bathrooms.

In the end, the Gophers, Badgers and Sioux will always have a recruiting advantage...but a new DECC would elevate UMD's facilities past St. Cloud, Mankato, and put them on par with CC and Denver...and aside from the Twin Cities and Madison, where would a MN recruit rather live? Duluth... or the remaining WCHA school locations? For UMD to have a legitimate chance of being a consistent top 5 finishing WCHA school...getting a new Arena is the key.

[elliott70]

ttt

[7A22A]

Article in todays DNT about Stafne playing for UMD in a couple years.

[topcheese21]

Article in todays DNT about Stafne playing for UMD in a couple years.

Thats true hes going to play one year in juniors then come to UMD also, D-Man Brady Lamb from Calgary is coming to play for UMD