Can't get enough hockey? Check out the action this weekend at Cap Ice in Middleton. The state of Wisconsin's elite hockey players will all be on hand this weekend as they battle for the right to represent the state of Wisconsin at the Central District tournament.I can guarantee you that there will be more than a handful of Division 1 hockey recruits that come out of this tournament. This is a very well scouted tournament and I can almost promise you that the Badger coaching staff is going to stop in to catch some of the action in between playoff games with Alaska Anchorage.
U16 Tournament
The U16 field for the state of Wisconsin is rather small. Like, only two teams small. This will be a battle between Team Wisconsin minors and Madison Capitols U16. There is going to be some good talent in this tournament.
Looking at the Caps, there is one kid that I want to see. His name is Will Butcher and he will be the next great defenseman from the Badger state. You probably haven't heard of him because he was born in 1995, but from all the reports, this kid is an absolute freak. He's already 5'11, 175 pounds as a recently turned 15 year old. Butcher has more than doubled his teammates in points this season, and he's a defenseman. Remember his name, because he is going to be a great one. Remember where you heard it too.
Looking at Team Wisconsin, I've seen them a few more times so I have a bit more of a pulse on that team. The talent is un-deniable with this group. They don't have a kid like Butcher but they are a lot deeper and a better team all around. Forwards are led by Hudson's Ryan Dau, Middleton's Todd Koritzinksy, and Wausau West's Garrett Clemmente. Monona Grove's Trevor Okeson, Eau Claire Memorial's Alex Dahl, and Beaver Dam's Nick Szopinski are also very talented. On defense they have two very good prospects that I love with Brookfield's Matthew Fosdick and Green Bay Notre Dame Academy's Tim Davison.
Rankings:
Madison Capitols: #40 USHSHO; #35 myhockeyrankings.com
Team Wisconsin: #31 USHSHO; #23 myhockeyrankings.com
Schedule:
Friday March 12: Madison Capitols vs Team Wisconsin 3:45 PM
Saturday March 13: Team Wisconsin vs Madison Capitols 1:15 PM
Sunday March 14: If necessary, 9:45 AM
Predictions:
I see this going three games with Team Wisconsin getting the best of the Cap's on Sunday morning.
U18 Tournament
The U18 field is bigger and deeper. This tournament will feature four teams this season. Team Wisconsin and the Madison Capitols will feature teams like they do at the U16 leve. Also the Green Bay Jr. Gamblers and the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals will also be entering teams in this years field. It should make for an exciting weekend.
Starting with the Cap's, they have two big time forwards with Lawrence Cornellier and Austin King. Cornellier is tall and skinny and King is short and stumpy. Both are good forwards and kids to watch. They also list Alex Racino on this team but it says he hasn't played since the end of December. The kid has had off ice issue after off ice issue so who the hell knows whats going on with him.
Team Wisconsin is very talented and features the cream of the crop from Wisconsin high school hockey. They are led by Wisconsin Mr. Hockey winner Max McCormick. McCormick is generating significant D-1 interest. Other players to watch from this team, Monona Grove's Russel Blaser, Catholic Memorial's Cody Dixon, Fond du Lac's Brian Kemp, and Waupaca's Brad Navin.
The Milwaukee Jr. Admirals are an interesting team. They have been putting a good product out on the ice over the past few years and they are starting to advance players. Their best player unfortunately for this years team Jose Delgadillo, was called up by the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL). But they still have D-1 talent on the roster. Defenseman Jarrod Rabey is a huge kid who has already spent some time with the Indiana Ice (USHL) this season. He will be a D-1 kid in a couple of seasons. Forward Noah Nelson, the leading scorer on the team also looks like he could be an interesting prospect.
The Green Bay Jr. Gamblers are the least well known at least to me out of the three squads. They took a big hit when they lost their two best forwards Ryan Belonger and C.J. Eick to the NAHL this season. Forward Austin Rehwinkel and goaltender Jodan Lehr are two players to keep an eye on.
Rankings:
Green Bay Jr. Gamblers: #69 USHSHO; #67 myhockeyranking.com
Madison Capitols: #19 USHSHO; #23 myhockeyranking.com
Milwaukee Jr. Admirals: #29 USHSHO; #34 myhockeyranking.com
Team Wisconsin: #23 USHSHO; #20 myhockeyranking.com
Schedule:
Friday March 12: Madison Capitols vs Green Bay Jr. Gamblers 5:45 PM
Friday March 12: Team Wisconsin vs Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 7:45 PM
Saturday March 13: Jr. Gamblers vs Team Wisconsin 9:15 AM
Saturday March 13: Capitols vs Jr. Admirals 11:15 AM
Saturday March 13: Team Wisconsin vs Capitols 5:00 PM
Saturday March 13: Jr. Gamblers vs Jr. Admirals 7:00 PM
Sunday March 14: 1st Place vs 2nd Place 12:00 PM
Predictions:
Really could go a number of ways as all the teams are pretty close in talent level. I'll take Team Wisconsin over The Milwaukee Jr. Admirals in the championship. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the four teams ended up winning the tournament.
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