UW Recruiting: Davison prepares for playoffs

The Wisconsin high school hockey playoffs officially kicked off on Tuesday but for most of the top seeds, Thursday is opening night. That includes Wisconsin defense recruit Tim Davison, who's Notre Dame Academy Tritons open up regional play at home against the Oshkosh Ice Hawks at Cornerstone Arena.

I had an opportunity to talk with Davison, who is a projected 2012 or 2013 recruit about the playoffs tonight.

Notre Dame Academy, winners of their last eight games including three against top 10 teams are just coming into their own. "We had some ups and downs in the middle of our season, and as of late we have been playing well."

Davison was a part of the Tritons squad who made it to the State tournament last season and he gave us little insight on what his team needs to do to make a return trip to the coliseum. "The only way we will be able to make it to Madison this year is if our entire team buys into what our coaches have been teaching us all season. It's a team effort."

Davison, who tied for the team lead in scoring in the regular season with 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 23 games wasn't shy about singling out the favorites this season. "Eau Claire Memorial is the team to beat."

Memorial got the best of Notre Dame Academy 3-2 about a month ago at the Resch center but Davison notes things could change in the playoffs. "If we are fortunate enough to make it to state, I believe anything could happen there."

Notre Dame Academy and Eau Claire Memorial are on opposite sides of the bracket and would only meet should the two teams reach the State Championship game. A rematch between the two would certainly be must see TV.

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Random Friday morning thoughts . . .

• I like Tex Western's new "What I Want to See this Weekend" feature, and I'd like to see all of the things that he mentioned. I'd also like to add one more thing I'd like to see - I'd like to really see Justin Schultz step up. You know he's one of my favorites, and while he looked fine on Sunday v. HC, I thought he looked a bit off on Friday v. BU. (Just my impression, I could be wrong.) I think he's going to be a great player for us this year, and I'm looking forward to his showing that this weekend.
  

• I recently received an email from the UW Athletic Department that details the carry-in policy for the Kohl Center, which I don't think has really changed but I never really read it before. Granted, you never really want to be the person sitting next to the fan who can't stop ringing the cowbell, but I find it amusing that a cowbell is shown in the "No Noisemakers" picture. Doesn't it just seem wrong to ban cowbells at a hockey game?

• I like Ryan Little's response to his switch from D to F: ' "Obviously I'm not the most skilled player," he said with a straight face. "But I go out there and work hard and my linemates have been helping me out a lot, so good things have happened. I'm pretty fortunate." ' [Baggot]. And I'm confident that Gandalf and Hatchet Joe will like Ryan's response to this question: 'Asked for his preference — a goal or a big hit — Little smiled. "For my role, probably a big hit," he said. "Goals are an added bonus." ' [Baggot]

• Last Friday (before the Badgers took the ice), when chatting about the Badgers with a scout, I remarked that the Badgers weren't the team that they were last year, having lost a ton of players to graduation or early departure. I'm afraid I may have implied that it might be a rough year for the boys (although in my defense, I did say I was optimistic and was looking forward to the season). But I like 1st-Star Zengerle's perspective of things: "For the new guys coming in, there's a good amount of talent and a good amount of offensive players," Zengerle said. "We may not be the same offense as last year, but it's a good base to grow as a young [team]." [Gabriel]

• I miss Todd Milewski, whose Badger Hockey beat coverage was eliminated with the demise of the printed Cap Times. I know this is old news, but I just can't help lamenting the issue. Sure, we can still read some of his work on USCHO (and it's always good), but his focus has shifted to general NCAA/WCHA news, and I really miss his Badger Hockey coverage. *sigh*
  

• You probably already know this, but in case you missed it, blog favorite Brian Rafalski is going to be out for a few weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

• I love Derek Stepan. By now, everybody knows about his NHL debut hat trick, and I'm late to the party in commenting on it. Rangers fans picked his hat trick goal as the Moment of the Week, and yesterday the Wall Street Journal featured him in a nice article (thanks to Capo for the link). I'm having trouble getting the video to play, but Stepan is featured in a couple of videos on Rangers TV: an interview about his hat trick, and a discussion of tonight's home opener. Oh, and my favorite quote? This quip from Derek provided by INCH: “I settled in pretty well.”

• The Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) website has a nice article about both Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. (Thanks to byndblueshirts and Capo fort the link.)

• Coming Down the Pipe listed their Top 5 Calder Dark Horses, with Jamie McBain at #5 and Derek Stepan at #1. Good stuff.
  

• I love that Jake Dowell and Jack Skille are up in Chicago this season. (I only wish the Hawks would win a few more games.) The Hawks play in Columbus tonight.

• In 3 games (2W, 1L), Tom Gilbert has 1 point and 1 assist. If you miss good ol' Tom, you can see him in the most recent post game presser.
  

• Earlier this week, Andy Baggot had an article about future Badgers Tim Davison, Cody Strang, and Troy Hesketh in which he discussed their delay in donning the cardinal and white. The article offers a perspective for playing an extra year in juniors.
• (Edited By Chuck) I didn't want to make a new post so I'm adding on to this 60, hope you don't mind. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead's Ryan Clark who is the beat writer for the Fargo Force has a feature this morning on Badger recruit Troy Hesketh who was traded from Fargo to Chicago. Chicago is going to play in Fargo for the first time this season.
  

I can't remember anything else right now, but I reserve the right to make additions to this post throughout the day . . .

Tim Davison Is Your Newest Badger (2 weeks ago)

First of all, I want to apologize this should have been posted two weeks ago. I received multiple e-mail tips from people but I was out of town taking care of important business (aka my fantasy football draft).

I'm sure by now you've heard that Tim Davison from (Green Bay) Notre Dame Academy has committed to the University of Wisconsin for either the 2012 or 2013 season. I'd link the article that Dplaya wrote but I have no idea how to find it on his new site.

Anyways, I've been telling you about Timmy D since early last fall when I scouted him with the Team Wisconsin minor squad. He's smaller in stature at 5'10, 163 pounds but what he loses in size he makes up for in skating ability and position. He's a good puck mover with offensive capabilities. His biggest weakness at this point is his consistency. He has to come to play every night.

Davison was drafted in the USHL futures draft by the Youngstown Phantoms this past spring and made the team out of camp. He turned down the opportunity to play in the USHL this year to return to Notre Dame Academy for his junior season. He's also playing with Team Wisconsin majors. He's expected to play 2011-12 in the USHL and possibly another year depending on departures and progression.

By the way, the picture above is Davison on the right and potential recruit Zach Stepan on the left after they won Gold this summer with the USA U-17 squad.

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Pair Of Wisconsinites Make Under-17 Select Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Twenty players who participated at USA Hockey's Boys' Select 16 Player Development Camp have been selected for the 2010 U.S. Under-17 Select Team that will compete at the 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament Aug. 18-22, in Huttwil, Switzerland.

DePere, WI native Tim Davison (pictured), and Balsam Lake, WI native Zach Stepan were the two from the Badger state to be named to the USA squad. Davison, a defenseman recently turned down an offer to play with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms to return to his high school team, Notre Dame Academy for his Junior season. Stepan, the cousin of former Badger Derek played last season with the Shattuck St. Mary's U16 squad. I haven't heard where he will play next season but he's a draft pick of the Waterloo Black Hawks. If he isn't in the USHL, he would presumably be with the Shattuck Prep squad for 2010-2011.

Both players are currently uncommitted but are most certainly on the radar of the Wisconsin coaching staff. In an interview with College Hockey 247 in April, Stepan had this to say about the Badgers, "I've talked to a few schools, but I've always been a huge Wisconsin fan."

Team USA 2010 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament Schedule
August 18-22 • Huttwil, Switzerland

Date	Opponent	Time (Local/EDT)
Tues., Aug. 18	Czech Republic	4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m.)
Thurs., Aug. 20	Slovakia	3:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m.)
Fri., Aug. 21	Switzerland	7:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.)
Sat., Aug. 22	Germany	11:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m.)

Sunday Recruiting Notes

Just spoke with Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay) defenseman Tim Davison (pictured) about his future plans. The junior to be was recently selected in the USHL Futures draft in the first round, 12th overall by the Youngstown Phantoms.

The Phantoms love Wisconsin players. They selected Jefferson Dahl and David Donnellan, both from Eau Claire in the 2009 expansion draft. Then they took Madison native Cody Strang in the 6th round of the 2009 USHL Draft.

Davison finished up camp with the Phantoms and was offered a spot on the team, a rarity for a player of his age. "It was a great experience being at the tryout camp. They treated everyone well. It seems like a great organization. I am very honored with the opportunity they have given me."

However Davison won't be in Youngstown this season. After talking it over with his parents, he has decided to go back to Notre Dame Academy for at least one more season. He said he also plans on (hopefully) playing with Team Wisconsin U18's. (Um, heres a secret, he'll make the team)
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Another Wisconsinite who recently made a USHL team was Milwaukee Jr. Admirals defenseman Jarrod Rabey. Rabey, who was a 15th round selection by the Indiana Ice in the 2009 USHL Draft has made the Ice for the 2010-2011 season. Rabey was instrumental in helping the Jr. Admirals to capture the WAHA Midget Major State Championship this season.

Rabey, who is currently listed at 6'2, 223 played in five games last season for Indiana. In those 5 contests, he was held off the score sheet. Don't expect him to stay off the USHL score sheets for long. Rabey recorded 53 points in 63 games for the Jr. Admirals last season.

For a kid that I initially criticized when he was drafted for being over weight, it looks like the future is bright for this blue liner. Reports I've heard indicate that he's gotten serious about hockey and has lost some weight. He's generated interest from some D-1 programs so keep an eye on his progress.
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In addition to the original two that I found out had made USHL rosters, I just found out that Green Bay Native Ryan Belonger has made the Youngstown Phantoms. Unlike Davison, Belonger is expected to play in Youngstown next season.

Belonger spent last season (his high school senior season) playing for the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL and had a successful season. The 5'10, 180 pounder put up a 14-21-35 line in 60 games for the Bandits. The 1992 born forward really came on at the end of the season recording 7 points in 10 playoff games including four goals.

Belonger has been on a visit at Wisconsin and I know he's been in contact with a number of schools including (but not limited to) UW, UMD, MI Tech, MI State, Quinnipiac, and Yale.
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Another interesting kid to keep an eye on is Michael Vilardo. I've spoke of him on this site many times and he's still uncommitted. He originally committed to Ohio State when he was way too young and quickly decided that it wasn't the right place for him. He's taken his time in the process on this go round and is still evaluating his options.

Last season he started off playing midget hockey with the Chicago Mission program but was extended an invite to the NTDP after a few injuries mid-season. He himself ran into some shoulder injuries and was shut down in mid-February. Vilardo is now healthy but has aged out of the NTDP program and will be playing for the Indiana Ice this season with Rabey.

Vilardo is still keeping his options open but told me recently that Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are likely possible destinations. He did say that he still has strong interest in Wisconsin and Michigan as well. Last season he had also mentioned Notre Dame and Denver.
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I almost forgot about this but I'm glad I caught myself because this is pretty important news as well. Thanks to USCHO poster Ralph Baer, we've learned that Wisconsin is in on Canadian recruit Steven Beyers.

Beyers did an interview with a Toronto sports radio station The Fan 590 with David Grossman. In the interview, Beyers reveals that Wisconsin and RPI are on the top of his list. By the way if you listen to the interview, it's kind of awkward if you ask me.

He was drafted in the OHL Draft by Sudburry with the first pick in the third round but just listening to Beyers thoughts on Sudbury in the interview I don't think we need to worry about him ending up there. Chris Dilks from Western College Hockey projected him as a first round OHL pick in his draft year.

Beyers spent last season with Orangeville in the CCHL in Ontario. He was recently drafted in the USHL Draft by Fargo and it would make a ton of sense for him to play there next season. Beyers continues to grow and currently stands 5'11, 185 pounds.

It should be interesting to see if Beyers is drafted by an NHL club this summer. He was ranked #199 by NHL Central Scouting at the year end rankings. That means that it's probably a toss up as to him getting drafted. But all it takes is one team to like you.

Futures Draft: First Round Is Good to Potential Badgers

Tuesday morning the USHL held it's annual Futures Draft. According to the USHL website, "The USHL Futures Draft consists of six rounds as 15 Member Clubs, including expansion teams Dubuque and Muskegon, will each select six players from the 1994 birth year ago group. The 90 players selected in the USHL Futures Draft will then be placed on the affiliate list of their respective team for the 2010-11 season. Teams retain the rights to selected players for three years and can add these players to the active roster at any time during the season."

Dubuque had the honor of holding the first pick of the draft and selected Riley Barber from the Compuware program out of Michigan. Barber is an uncommitted forward who is listed at 5'10, 170 pounds. Muskegon, the other expansion franchise who is being coached by former Wisconsin assistant Kevin Patrick snagged Garret Cockerill, a defenseman also from the dominant Compuware program.

2010 USHL Futures Draft (1994's) Players With Wisconsin Ties

First Round
#8. Justin Wade (Chicago Mission U16)-Fargo (potential recruit)
#10. Zach Stepan (Shattuck St. Marys)-Waterloo (Derek's cousin, potential recruit)
#12. Tim Davison (Green Bay Notre Dame Academy)-Youngstown (Wisconsin native, potential recruit)
#14. AJ Michaelson (Apple Valley HS, MN)-Waterloo (potential recruit)

Second Round
#16. Alex Roos (Team Illinois U16)-Cedar Rapids (potential recruit)
#25. Ray Pigozzi (Chicago Mission U16)-Des Moines (potential recruit)

Fourth Round
#58. John Feemster (Wausau West HS)-Sioux Falls (Wisconsin native, potential recruit)

Fifth Round
#63. Brendan Vetter (Madison Capitols U16)-Fond du Lac (Wisconsin native, potential recruit)

Keep in mind that all players drafted today could be potential recruits. Don't feel slighted if you, or your son isn't listed as a potential recruit. The players that I have listed are just the ones that I have confirmation that Wisconsin has on the radar. There are many, many more that I'm not aware of, that's for sure.

Pictured: Notre Dame Academy's Tim Davison

Eleven Wisconsinites Chosen For USA Select Festivals

The Central District has released the names of all the players selected to participate in this summers upcoming USA Hockey Select Festivals. Overall, 11 players from the Badger state have been chosen to attend.

Some solid players here but like I've talked about in the past, the real gem here is 95' born Will Butcher.

1993's (Select 17)

Cliff Watson-Appleton United, Team Wisconsin minors
Todd Koritzinsky-Middleton, Team Wisconsin minors
Jakob Batcha-Grafton, Milwaukee Jr. Admirals

1994's (Select 16)

Tim Davison-Green Bay Notre Dame, Team Wisconsin minors
Matthew Fosdick-Brookfield, Team Wisconsin minors
Jason Ford-Waunakee, Team Wisconsin minors
Ashton Wackym-University School of Milwaukee, Team Wisconsin minors

1995's (Select 15)

Will Butcher-Madison, Madison Capitols minors
Ian McCoshen-Hudson, Shattuck St. Mary's Bantam Tier 1
Travis Wood-Appleton?
Jason Reynolds-Green Bay Notre Dame

Team Wisconsin Opens At USA Nationals Tonight

I apologize for not getting to this before but It's been a crazy last five days with Easter, my birthday, and a trip to Milwaukee for Brewers opening day.

If you weren't already aware, Team Wisconsin U16's are playing in the USA Hockey National Tournament which started today in Woodbridge, Illinois.

Team Wisconsin get's underway tonight when they take on the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes at 6:00 PM. The game can be watched live on the internet at FastHockey.com for $6.99 per game. I planned on watching tonight's game and giving a scouting report in the morning but some business has come up and I unfortunately won't be able to. Team Wisconsin management has been very helpful so hopefully I can get a game recap from them either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

I saw the Team Wisconsin U16's play a few times this fall and came away very impressed. They are coached by former Badger and NHL'er Gary Shuchuk who according to DPlaya is being rumored as a potential candidate to fill Kevin Patrick's coaching opening for next season when he takes over as a USHL head coach.

Offensively TW is led by the first line of Hudson's Ryan Dau (.94 points per game), Middleton's Todd Koritzinski (.94 PPG) and Monona Grove's Trevor Okeson (.63 PPG). They have combined for 86 points this season. There is virtually zero drop off to the second line with Wausau West's Garrett Clemment (.90 PPG), Eau Claire Memorials Alex Dahl (.77 PPG), and Green Bay United's Evan Janssen (.46 PPG). Another forward of note is Beaver Dam's Nick Szopinski (.54 PPG).

Team Wisconsin had a nice stable of defensemen as well. I really like Brookfield's Matthew Fosdick and Notre Dame Academy's Tim Davison. Fosdick is the leading scorer for the defensemen with 18 points.

Here is the full schedule for Team Wisconsin at USA Nationals:

Wednesday, April 7 - vs #25 Carolina Jr. Hurricanes @ 6:00 PM
Thursday, April 8 - vs #10 North Jersey Avalanche @ 5:00 PM
Friday, April 9 - vs #1 Chicago Mission @ 5:00 PM
Saturday, April 10 - Quarter-Finals in AM (TBD) Semi-Finals in PM (TBD)
Sunday, April 11 - Championship @ 10:00 AM

Very Important High School Tournament Starts Tonight

Wisconsin high school hockey has been waiting for something like this for some time. Under the direction of Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay), the first ever "Showdown In Titletown" starts tonight with regional games in Eau Claire and Stevens Point.

The coaches and administrators at Notre Dame Academy pulled off a mid-season non-conference tournament featuring 8 of the top teams in the state of Wisconsin with the finals being played at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

The regional games tonight feature fourth ranked Eau Claire Memorial hosting second ranked Wausau West in a rematch from earlier in the season. Memorial won the earlier contest in two overtimes. The game is scored as a tie officially due to WIAA rules of only playing one overtime (They played two becuase it was a holiday tournament). The game will be at 7:00 PM at Hobbs in Eau Claire.

The other regional game tonight will be at KB Willet Arena in Stevens Point and features the unranked SPASH panthers vs the number 1 ranked team in the state Notre Dame Academy. Notre Dame Academy features two of the best players in the state in forward Max McCormick and defenseman Tim Davison. Davison has been battling a concussion issue but returned Saturday in a win against rival Ashwaubenon.

The two other regional games will be played tomorrow and Thursday. The game tomorrow features honorable mention Catholic Memorial/Pius going on the road against sixth ranked Madison Edgewood. The Thursday game features ninth ranked Fond du Lac hosting eighth ranked Appleton United.

According to Wisconsin Prep Hockey, second round games will be contested at either the Resch Center or Cornerstone Community Center on Friday, January 22. The seventh place and consolation games will be played at Cornerstone on Saturday, January 23. The third place game and championship game will be played the same day at the Resch Center.

In conjunction with the high school tournament, the Green Bay Gamblers will host the Sioux City Musketeers Friday night at the Resch Center. Game time is 7:05pm. Former Wisconsin high school stars Matt Paape (Wisconsin commit), Chase Drake (Wisconsin commit), Sean Little(Wisconsin commit) , and Aaron Harstad (Colorado College commit) are expected to compete.

Having a mid-season tournament featuring teams ranked 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and one in the Honorable Mention is something the state of Wisconsin has never seen before. Minnesota has been doing this over the past few years with the Schwan's Cup tournament over the holidays with the top teams playing at the Xcel Energy Center. This is a step in the right direction for Wisconsin high school hockey.