Hurricanes 2008-09 NCAA prospects update
Jamie McBain, D • Wisconsin (WCHA)
Ht: 6’2 • Wt.: 197 pounds
Drafted: 2006 second round • 63rd overall
The most impressive Carolina NCAA prospect is Wisconsin junior defenseman Jamie McBain. McBain has become one of college hockey’s best blueliners. His 28 points — on five goals and 23 assists in 26 games — are tied for 16th in the NCAA and are tops among all defensemen in the country. He’s already surpassed his career high of 24 points set last season with the Badgers and has been a guiding force on a Wisconsin team that’s battling for the top spot in the WCHA.
After leading the Badgers defense in scoring the past two years, McBain was named an alternate captain prior to this season and his breakthrough 2008-09 has the Wisconsin athletic department touting McBain as a Hobey Baker Award candidate. It wouldn’t be out of the question to expect McBain to jump right to the NHL after his college career is over — perhaps as early as next season if he passes up his senior year.
Wild 2008-09 NCAA prospects update
Chris Hickey, FKings 2008-09 NCAA prospects update
University of Wisconsin Badgers
Acquired: 7th round, 190 overall, 2006
Hickey is fighting for ice time as one of four freshmen on the Badgers roster this season. But unlike the others, who are having successful seasons and seeing regular shifts, Hickey has not found himself a regular spot in the lineup.
Hickey has only suited up in eight of a possible 26 games this season; in those games, he has seen very little ice time. His stats show his lack of ice time; in his eight games played he has only managed one goal, a -2 rating and four penalty minutes.
Looking ahead to next season, life won’t be getting any easier. Out of the 16 forwards on the Badgers roster, 14 are eligible to return. Many of the players returning next season are of the core group that provides the offensive punch and defensive stability for the Badgers. Hickey will need to do everything he can during the remainder of this season and in camp next season to show he is the Badgers’ shut-down guy.
One positive that can salvage this season for Hickey is the 10 pounds he put on over the summer. Hickey is going to need to continue to grow faster and stronger to become an elite checking line forward. Checking will need to be Hickey's forte as it was never envisioned that he would be a major contributor on offense.
Selected as a project by then general manager Dave Taylor, Joshua Turnbull has not shown much in his second season with the Wisconsin Badgers. With only six points in 21 games, he has stepped back in his production from his freshman season with little chance of getting off the fourth line. And with nearly all of the Badgers forwards returning next season, the prospects for better ice time does not look good. Turnbull must earn his time by showing more development or he may not make it out of college hockey. He still has two more seasons to improve and catch the attention of the Los Angeles brass.
Cody Goloubef also got mention in HF's January college prospects notebook:
Badger brings home the gold
The NCAA was well represented at this year’s IIHF U20 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, but it would be a University of Wisconsin defenseman who would bring home the biggest prize of all. Oakville, ON native and Badgers sophomore Cody Goloubef (CBJ) and his Team Canada teammates captured their fifth straight gold medal after defeating Sweden 5-1. Goloubef finished second on the Team Canada roster with a plus-10. He also added an assist.
An finally, HF has an interview with Badger forward Derek Stepan.
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