Hartzog Now Officially a 2010 Forward Recruit

Gavin Hartzog, who looked like he would be a 2011 recruit, had lunch with Wisconsin Head Coach Mike Eaves this week and was asked to come in this upcoming 2010-2011 hockey season instead. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has been reading our comment section on this blog over the past week or so. I also tweeted it on Wednesday, even if I can't spell words correctly.

Hartzog, a forward from the Milwaukee area committed to the Badgers about two years ago, shortly after a breakout performance in the now defunct Chicago Showcase which is an event that gave seniors from accross the country an opportunity to be seen by college and junior scouts.

I spoke with Gavin Saturday night and he was pretty excited about coming to Madison in the fall. "I am very excited for the great opportunity to play in my home state for such a prestigous hockey program while getting a fine education. To be able to play for the team I grew up watching is something special to me and I can't wait to get to work and contribute in whatever ways possible."

Hartzog told me that he was planning on playing the upcoming hockey season in the USHL with the expansion Muskegon Lumberjacks now coached by former Badger assistant Kevin Patrick. From all reports I've heard, Hartzog looked like a man amongst boys out there at the tryout in which Eaves attended and from there it was a no brainer to bring Hartzog in, especially with the lack of numbers up front for the Badgers.

With only 14 forwards currently expected to be in Madison this season, Hartzog will have an opportunity to get early ice time. Many have compared Hartzog (6'4, 215) to John Mitchell (6'5, 224), and he turned out to be a pretty solid player. I would be happy with a repeat.

Wisconsin Recruiting Class Of 2010

Forwards
Tyler Barnes-Burnsville, MN-Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Jason Clark-Eden Prarie, MN-Shattuck St. Marys Prep
Jefferson Dahl-Eau Claire, WI-Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Gavin Hartzog- Pewaukee, WI-Bismark Bobcats (NAHL)
Sean Little-Fond du Lac, WI-Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Michael Mersch-Park Ridge, IL-USA NTDP U-18
Mark Zengerle-Rochester, NY-Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)

Defense
Chase Drake-Mosinee, WI-Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Frankie Simonelli-Bensenville, IL-USA NTDP U-18