They do not go to St. Cloud this year. They are going to Rochester NY June 21-28. The 15s and 17s go to St. Cloud.
I watched a couple of games this past weekend at Plymouth. The game is on a different level when one sees all this talent play together! I think all the players were very even in ability and no one really stood out over the next player. It was neat to see when the games were over, how the players would talk and "jab" one another...that's what it's all about! You could tell they were having a good time.
Good choices, this was very good hockey and I agree with everyone, not sure they can make many poor choices selecting any of these kids. I do have a question as I was watching this level for the first time. I noticed that each team had 10 forwards, arguably a bad number, but on the Blue team the coach picked three players, Knochenmus, Bjugstad Gaade and had them play together all weekend. The other 7 forwards had to rotate through, missing shifts and playing a different forward position almost every shift. Is that how it's suppose to work? I thought everyone was to get an equal chance. No arguement those 3 are good players, but they seemed to have an advantage with the consistency of who they were playing with. I thought Knochenmus and Bjugstad looked good, but wasn't very impressed with Gaade. Just my opinion
thiscrazygame wrote:So how does McMorrow get selected when he wasn't on the roster. Also Jeff Pauluk wasn't there this weekend either. Just curious
I don't know, but USA Hockey though enough of them to invite them to the NTDP Tryouts this spring, and the National Select Camp is a USA Hockey thing. Don't ask me how the details work, but I'd wager they'll both be invited to the Select Camp.
I was able to watch the games this weekend for the 16's and saw excellent hockey played. A few of the kids that I thought had a nice weekend were Youso, Gavin, Muck, Kuhn, Isackson, Marshall, Christianson, Faulk, Herbert, Wilcox to name a few. It will be hard to pick as all the kids played very well. It was also nice to see them play the 17's to see how they handle the next level.
thiscrazygame wrote:So how does McMorrow get selected when he wasn't on the roster. Also Jeff Pauluk wasn't there this weekend either. Just curious
I don't know, but USA Hockey though enough of them to invite them to the NTDP Tryouts this spring, and the National Select Camp is a USA Hockey thing. Don't ask me how the details work, but I'd wager they'll both be invited to the Select Camp.
If they are invited to be part of the NTDP for next season, then I agree. If not, I don't believe they will participate.
i agree with hockey nut, the blue teams coach obviously have his favorites, those three started 2 out of 3 games and and played the most out of all of the other players on the team because none of them had to rotate sitting while the other 7 had to for 2 games. also they got to play together the entire time and in the same position while the others had to play with different players every shift and play different positions. the coach is a good guy and a great coach i just think he shouldnt have favored a couple kids more than others.
rubbelke had baseball saturday morning and mcmorrow, i believe, was traveling with his school choir during the tryout process.
When most of us would "miss our own funeral" to attend this process, it is refreshing to see a couple of players (and their families) make what would seem to be a very difficult decision regarding this process.
Then again, it may not have been that difficult at all for them.
the world keeps turning and there will be another arena full of "clipboards" in the near future.
The following players have been selected to participate in the USA
Hockey, Advanced 16 National Festival in Rochester, New York being held
June 21-27, 2008.
Forwards
Nick Bjugstad
Jason Clark
Cal Decowski
Max Gaede
Max Gardiner
Noah Gavin
Garrett Hendrickson
Christian Isackson
Adam Knochenmus
Jack McFarlane
Jordon Palusky
Joe Rubbelke
Defense
Justin Faulk
Conner Faupel
Derek Forbort
Ben Marshall
Andrew Pitts
Brett Stern
Sam Windle
Matt Youso
I am quite surpirsed with the selection of matt ray. Again everyone knows that he is a solid goalie, but this weekend I dont feel the he was in the top 2, especially if you look at last weekend in an overview. I am not badmouthing him at all, he made the national team last year, and he worked really hard, and deserved it completly, I'm just not sure the he performed in the top 2, personally I feel the Jim Kruger from minnetonka, or Reid Mimmack from brainerd should have filled the second spot. My hat is entirely off to Adam Wilcox, congradulations to him as well as Matt Ray. I also wanted to ask if by anychance if your team wins or loses has anthing to do with the selection, because I think their team had a close one with all three teams, but unfortunatly was able to come up with a win? I am just curious for my future predictions?
InThePaint wrote:I am quite surpirsed with the selection of matt ray. Again everyone knows that he is a solid goalie, but this weekend I dont feel the he was in the top 2, especially if you look at last weekend in an overview. I am not badmouthing him at all, he made the national team last year, and he worked really hard, and deserved it completly, I'm just not sure the he performed in the top 2, personally I feel the Jim Kruger from minnetonka, or Reid Mimmack from brainerd should have filled the second spot. My hat is entirely off to Adam Wilcox, congradulations to him as well as Matt Ray. I also wanted to ask if by anychance if your team wins or loses has anthing to do with the selection, because I think their team had a close one with all three teams, but unfortunatly was able to come up with a win? I am just curious for my future predictions?
InThePaint wrote:I am quite surpirsed with the selection of matt ray. Again everyone knows that he is a solid goalie, but this weekend I dont feel the he was in the top 2, especially if you look at last weekend in an overview. I am not badmouthing him at all, he made the national team last year, and he worked really hard, and deserved it completly, I'm just not sure the he performed in the top 2, personally I feel the Jim Kruger from minnetonka, or Reid Mimmack from brainerd should have filled the second spot. My hat is entirely off to Adam Wilcox, congradulations to him as well as Matt Ray. I also wanted to ask if by anychance if your team wins or loses has anthing to do with the selection, because I think their team had a close one with all three teams, but unfortunatly was able to come up with a win? I am just curious for my future predictions?
Saw some games, thought Kruger played great.
I thought Kruger was the second best goalie on the weekend. He played very well in the 16 vs 17 game. Much better than Ray did in my opinion
It's probably a better idea just to talk about the good stuff that you think about the players. They did not keep those three players together all of the time - but they were a well functioning line. I am sure the evaluators know all these players and had a tough job picking. Knockumus played with Gaede on the same line last year at the St. Cloud camp - maybe they asked to play together again this year. Gaede did pretty good considering broken leg at start of season and with Bolin only playing his favorite seniors all year. All the players out there were looking good. Everyone on the (1992) 54 list should be feeling good
AverageJoe wrote:It's probably a better idea just to talk about the good stuff that you think about the players.
I'm with ya joe. It seems that too many fans try to elevate "their" players by tearing others down. Every year a couple/few kids make it on reputation alone, and also a few surprise omissions. So be it.
Benik still hasn`t learned how to play team hockey... 