Toninato to UMD

[21Swagger]

Congrats to Dom on heading to the Bulldogs

[Sats81]

Another one. Sandelin is gearing up. Bulldogs landing some big recruits in the last week. Congrats to a great player.

[GordonBombay99]

Another Hound commits, wonder what ones gonna be next. Congrats to Dom.

[elliott70]

Following his father's footsteps.

Congrats!

[east hockey]

Following his father's footsteps.

Congrats!

Hopefully Meirs and Connor will also.

Lee

[karl(east)]

No surprise here. Congrats to Dom! Like his linemate Randolph, it's been fun to watch him grow over the past three years. He scored some huge goals for the Hounds late in his sophomore year and is one of the finer two-way players you'll see at the high school level.

He's the 4th Hound to become a Bulldog in the past 5 East graduating classes--nice to see that pipeline intact.

[Cornermukker]

Congrasts to Dom! Well Done.

[northwoods oldtimer]

Hopefully Meirs and Connor will also.

Lee

[Reggie]

Congrats! a very nice player.

[chief22]

Congrats to Dom on heading to the Bulldogs

Say it ain't so...I was hoping he would pick the gophers. damn

[PuckU126]

Congrats

[Hounds19]

Congrats to Dom on heading to the Bulldogs

Say it ain't so...I was hoping he would pick the gophers. damn

from what im hearing trev olson will also likely go there, but will likely commit after a year of junior hockey

[MNHockeyFan]

from what im hearing trev olson will also likely go there, but will likely commit after a year of junior hockey

Hmmm...don't most players normally commit first, with the understanding that they will go play a year (or two) of junior hockey?

[siouxforce19]

from what im hearing trev olson will also likely go there, but will likely commit after a year of junior hockey

Hmmm...don't most players normally commit first, with the understanding that they will go play a year (or two) of junior hockey?

Lots of players go to junior hockey uncommitted. In fact, I'd say most go to junior hockey to get a college scholarship...

[MNHockeyFan]

Lots of players go to junior hockey uncommitted. In fact, I'd say most go to junior hockey to get a college scholarship...

Yeah I know, but I was only referring to players who are already being recruited by D1 schools. The school announces the commitment and it's understood that he will play a year or two of juniors before joining the team. If this story is right Olson will go play a year of juniors and THEN the commitment will be announced...sounds like there's strings attached. Or if he does do well he could just as easily commit to another school.

[karl(east)]

Lots of players go to junior hockey uncommitted. In fact, I'd say most go to junior hockey to get a college scholarship...

Yeah I know, but I was only referring to players who are already being recruited by D1 schools. The school announces the commitment and it's understood that he will play a year or two of juniors before joining the team. If this story is right Olson will go play a year of juniors and THEN the commitment will be announced...sounds like there's strings attached. Or if he does do well he could just as easily commit to another school.

This sounds odd to me, too. If Randolph and Toninato have the talent to commit while still in HS, then Olson certainly does, too. Unless Olson is set on UMD and UMD is not set on him, in which case he might want to look elsewhere.

[BodyShots]

Are these Duluth guys going directly to D1, or are they going to play USHL for a year or two?

[StreetStix]

USHL first

[BodyShots]

USHL first

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

[The Exiled One]

USHL first

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

I believe the last Mr. Hockey winner to play a full season in the USHL after graduation was Tom Gorowsky in 2004.

[karl(east)]

USHL first

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

With all due respect to this year's Mr. Hockey contenders, none of them have the NHL draft stock of Bjugstad or Rau. I've always assumed Randolph would have to play juniors.

[BodyShots]

USHL first

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

With all due respect to this year's Mr. Hockey contenders, none of them have the NHL draft stock of Bjugstad or Rau. I've always assumed Randolph would have to play juniors.

I am not so sure Kloos' draft stock isn't similar to Rau. Both are small in stature, but have plenty of offensive capabilities. The only difference is that Rau had a much better supporting cast.

[karl(east)]

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

With all due respect to this year's Mr. Hockey contenders, none of them have the NHL draft stock of Bjugstad or Rau. I've always assumed Randolph would have to play juniors.

I am not so sure Kloos' draft stock isn't similar to Rau. Both are small in stature, but have plenty of offensive capabilities. The only difference is that Rau had a much better supporting cast.

NHL Central Scouting did not rank him in their midterm rankings:
http://mnhockeyprospects.com/2012/01/11 ... -scouting/

Usually, there are about two HS players up near the top of that list, and it's all but assured that one of them will win Mr. Hockey. This year, there aren't, which makes it a bit less predictable. (That may not be a bad thing when it comes to choosing the eventual winner--hopefully the award will go to the most valuable HS player, and not the player whom scouts think will have the brightest future.)

[Neuuman]

With all due respect to this year's Mr. Hockey contenders, none of them have the NHL draft stock of Bjugstad or Rau. I've always assumed Randolph would have to play juniors.

I am not so sure Kloos' draft stock isn't similar to Rau. Both are small in stature, but have plenty of offensive capabilities. The only difference is that Rau had a much better supporting cast.

NHL Central Scouting did not rank him in their midterm rankings:
http://mnhockeyprospects.com/2012/01/11 ... -scouting/

Usually, there are about two HS players up near the top of that list, and it's all but assured that one of them will win Mr. Hockey. This year, there aren't, which makes it a bit less predictable. (That may not be a bad thing when it comes to choosing the eventual winner--hopefully the award will go to the most valuable HS player, and not the player whom scouts think will have the brightest future.)

I wouldn't read TOO much into the NHL midterm rankings - Rau was rated 177th in North America in the FINAL rankings last year and was selected 91st overall. Central scouting scouts work for the NHL, but I'm sure all players drafted ARE drafted because the scouts for the teams that draft them see something Central scouting didn't see (that they weren't 6'1 and 195 lbs.) IMHO

[warriors41]

USHL first

That surprises me a little. If there are those that think Randolph is Mr. Hockey material, didn't the last two Mr. Hockey winners (Bjugstad and Rau) go directly to D1!

A lot of times it depends on if and how high the players get drafted. I know in 2010 it wasn't decided until after the NHL draft on what Brock Nelson was going to do. But because he went in the first round, UND figured it would be better to have him for two or three years on campus instead of spending some of that time playing juniors. If these guys get get selected or even if they do late I would expect they spend at least a season in the USHL.