Wisconsin Recruiting: McGuire, Zulinick Injured

If you have been regularly checking the recruiting statistics you may have noticed a couple of players haven't been playing. Two big time 93 born forwards, Corbin McGuire (Fargo, USHL) and Morgan Zulinick (Salmon Arm, BCHL), both 2012 commitments have been out with injuries.

I was able to get a hold of Zulinick (pictured) the other day to ask him about the injury. "I separated my shoulder and will be back playing on the 29th (Wednesday) against Vernon." He noted that he feels fine, "It's almost 100%."

McGuire, according to Fargo Force beat writer Ryan S. Clark is out with a concussion. A closer look at the USHL transactions reveals McGuire was placed on the 45 day IR by Fargo on November 26th. That would make a return date set for the weekend of January 14/15.
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Navin on fire

No surprise to anyone is the fact that the most recent Badger commit, Brad Navin, is leading the state of Wisconsin in scoring through Christmas. The 6'2 forward is averaging almost 4 points per game for the 8-1 Waupaca Comets. Navin has 20 goals through the first 9 games of the season. Waupaca was ranked #8 in the latest poll conducted by Wisconsin Prep Hockey. Waupaca's only loss this season came at the hands of fifth ranked, and undefeated Ashwaubenon.
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Rumpel turning heads

At no time in Mike Eaves tenure as head coach has he named a freshman the starting goaltender. Which is why many were shocked when Eaves anointed 2011 recruit Joel Rumpel next years starter, a year before he's even slated to be on campus.

But Rumpel is doing his part to silence the critics. Playing in the BCHL, a league known for it's wide open play and it's video game type offensive statistics, Rumpel has been brilliant between the pipes most of the season but has really picked up his play in the month of December.

Thanks to the help of Penticton Vees play by play man Ryan Pinder, we've found that Rumpel has put together a 1.26 GAA, .959 save percentage over his past 6 starts. Due in large part to Rumpels play in the past month, Penticton is in first place in the Interior Conference.

Wisconsin Committed Recruit Statistics (All updated except the NTDP Stats)

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Eaves Signs Five, Rumpel Anointed Next Starter

Head Coach Mike Eaves and the University of Wisconsin has announced the signing of five players during the early signing period. Eaves has signed a goalie, Joel Rumpel (Swift Current, Saskatchewan), and four forwards, Tyler Lapic (New Prague, MN), Cody Strang (Madison, WI), Brendan Woods (Palmyra, Pa.), and Matt Paape (Appleton, WI).

Defensemen Jake McCabe (Eau Claire, WI), and Troy Hesketh (Minnetonka, MN) are expected to sign letters of intent during the spring signing period.

Eaves comments from UWBadgers.com

Tyler Lapic (Chicago, USHL)
“Tyler is a power forward, big lad, who brings a nice skill set to the rink. We expect him, hopefully right away, to be a contributor.”

Matt Paape (Sioux City, USHL)
“Matt is a Wisconsin born and bred young man who brings a nice skill set to the game. He has a knack for being around the puck, and the puck finds him. We expect him to bring some offense to our team."

Cody Strang (Youngstown, USHL)
“Cody’s a local boy. He was the leading point getter in his senior year at Edgewood. He’s really a crafty player with the puck and for not being a very big lad, he has the heart of a wrestler. He knows how to spin away, he’s not afraid to go to the hard areas and he’s a good teammate. We expect good things from him offensively.”

Brendan Woods (Muskegon, USHL)
“He’s from a hockey family. His dad [Bob] played in the NHL and now coaches with the Washington Capitals. He can be a power forward for us. He plays at top tempo and gives us good size. He will play hard.”

Joel Rumpel (Penticton, BCHL)
“He brings a nice pedigree related to the Badger family with his uncle, Roy Schultz, who was an All-American goaltender here back in the early 1980s. He’s a really good athlete. He’s a tremendous track and field athlete so he’s got natural physical abilities, and he’s putting those abilities to work in the game of hockey. He’s going to come in next year as a freshman and going to jump right into the pipes and play immediately for us.”

Andy Baggot spoke with Eaves about the recruits and noted that Rumpel is expected to start in goal from day one next season with both of our scholarship goaltenders graduating after this season.

Eaves also noted that he does not plan to bring in another scholarship goalie in the 2011 class, instead he plans on promoting Mitch Thompson, the current walk on third stringer next season. He noted they will bring in another walk on to take Thompson's spot.

I couldn't be more frustrated by this news. While I feel that Rumpel is going to be a very good goaltender for the Badgers, why not take a shot on one of the two transfers that were available this season. Former UMD goalie Brady Hjelle and former Minnesota State goalie Kevin Murdock were both available and would have been perfect. (Assuming they didn't have WCHA transfer restrictions)

Hjelle has recently committed to Ohio State and Murdock, who has posted a 6-3 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .918 save percentage is still available.

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Wisconsin Recruiting: Nice Little Friday Night

Quick little story for you. I love it when media relations people e-mail us with information. So needless to say I was excited when Muskegon's Christopher Heimerman sent me a note to alert me of Brendan Woods big night. Except for the fact that it was at 4:40 this morning. When your e-mail is hooked up for your phone, that's not a fun time to wake up. Just giving you a hard time Christopher, keep it coming.

That said, lets get into a quick recap of our committed recruits from last night. I won't get into all of them but some had pretty nice Friday nights.

Brendan Woods-Muskegon (USHL)
I was semi-concerned when Woods didn't do much in the pre-season and then was held off the score sheet in the season opener vs Sioux Falls. Consider my concerns put to rest for now. Woods bounced back with back to back two point games including a two goal effort last night against Sioux City.

Joel Rumpel-Penticton (BCHL)
Rumpel has picked up right where he left off last season and had another solid performance last night. Rumpel was named the third star and stopped 23 of 25 shots in route to a 3-2 OT victory.

Corbin McGuire-Fargo (USHL)
McGuire is making that tough transition from prep hockey to junior hockey and doing so as a high school junior. After limited action in his first two games, as well as a healthy scratch on opening night, McGuire had a nice Friday night notching his first USHL goal and putting 4 shots on goal.

Tyler Lapic-Chicago (USHL)
Lapic's had a pretty mediocre season in the USHL last year and has already been traded twice in his career. He may have found a home in Chicago. Last night the New Prague forward notched a pair of helpers in a 5-2 win. He now has 4 assists in 5 games this season.

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Rumpel commits for 2011

On schedule, Joel Rumpel commits for the 2011 season, and Badger fans can breath a little sigh of relief about the goaltending situation following the graduations of Scott Gudmandson and Brett Bennett.

Editted on 2/9/09

Baggot added the following yesterday. Rumpel's coach at Penticton draws comparisons between him and Brian Elliott. A little soon for that, but I love this kid's size, one thing you can't teach, Jeff Sanger can do the rest.

In addition, Baggot had a little more on Rumpel today. I agree that it is a good thing for Rumpel to return to the BCHL to be the man for Penticton next season before arriving. A) he wouldn't play here next year & there is probably not any schollie money and B) he'll need the experience of playing 45 games or so to prepare for possibly being the #1 right out the gate as a frosh. He will be 20 as a freshman, which is always a bonus.

The same article mentions the rankings from RedLine Report which has 2010 recruit Michael Mersch at #56 and John Ramage at #198 for the 2010 NHL Draft. While Mersch wasn't a worldkiller when the U-18 team visited in early January, he has the size and rare talent to be a great power forward at Wisconsin. Next season he'll only be a senior in high school, in age, but accelerating to come in, so he'll have some growing to do yet.

Badgers Close In On Canadian Goalie

The crystal ball is becoming very clear in regards to the Badgers pursuit of goaltenders to eventually replace juniors Brett Bennett and Scott Gudmandson.

There has been rampant speculation over the past year on what the Badgers would eventually do with two goalies graduating in the same year. While we still don't know exactly what the Badgers plans are, it looks like they are on the verge of locking up one goalie from north of the border very soon.

Joel Rumpel, a goaltender from the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia hockey leage is scheduled to visit the Wisconsin campus this weekend according to Badger beat writer Andy Baggot.

Rumpel is an 18 year old who has burst onto the scene after limited playing time to start the season. Through 21 games, the nephew of Roy Schultz (All American for Bucky in 1980) is second in the BCHL in both GAA (1.86) and Save percentage (9.24). Those are impressive numbers for a goalie considering the BCHL is considered a wide open offensive style junior league.

From the Baggot article, "He's been outstanding since day one,'' Fred Harbinson (Penticton head coach) said of Rumpel, who's listed at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds. "He's very technically sound and he has a bit of a calmness that settles everyone down.''

Rivals new hockey website College Hockey 247 also talked with Rumpel. Rumpel has been in contact with other colleges but it's clear that he kid is destined to be a Badger. "There have been a few other teams - Notre Dame and St. Cloud State - but Wisconsin is the dream school," he said. "This will be my first-ever visit to a college team so I want to see their hockey environment, tour their campus, get a feel for their coaches, but I've really grown up hearing all about Wisconsin from my uncle and if everything goes well, I think I could [commit]."

Rumple who describes himself as a big bodied goaltender that can cover the net, could step in and immediately make an impact in 2011.

"There hasn't even been an official offer yet," he said. "But this is crazy. A few years ago, I never thought I'd be in this position. You grow up in Saskatchewan and you never think ? but my uncle showed me this whole other world and told me I should definitely think about college because it was so rewarding for him."

Check back over the weekend to see if we have a new goalie in the fold.