09/10 Men's Previews: #16 Sean Dolan

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Junior
Shoots Right
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Hometown: Chesterfield, MO (why do they list St. Louis?)
Major: Consumer Science
Previous Team: Chicago (USHL) in 06/07

NHL Considerations: See how the next two seasons go.

08/09 Stats: 35 games, 4-7-11, +2, 42 PIM
07/08 Stats: 40 games, 4-4-8, +1, 28 PIM

09/10 Role: 4th line while fighting for PT

08/09 Recap: After a nice freshman season, Sean, while he didn’t take a step back, didn’t really take a step forward either. He was a successful member of the grind line w/ Ben Grotting and John Mitchell, but that line was broken up last season. He was a regular on the 4th line and that line provided consistent energy throughout the season.

Biggest Strength: Very good defensively and a nice addition to the PK.

Biggest Weakness: I think there is more to Sean Dolan than Badger fans have seen so far. His offensive game shows flashes of progressing, but he never quite takes that next step. Could be a function of his role on the team as well.

09/10 Thoughts: I see Sean in a group w/ a few other players (Josh Turnbull, Ratty Johnson and Matt Thurber) who will be fighting hard for playing time this season. It will be very interesting to see who busts it in practice to start this season and who improved over the summer, because it could go a long way to determining who plays a lot. Sean has the advantage of size, and his consistent play in his own zone. He is a good centerman as well, though he could be fighting Aaron Bendickson and Thurber for that spot on the 4th line.

Prediction: 12 games, 3-3-6*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

Catching up linkorama

While Gandalf has been doing all of the heavy lifting here on the blog, I've been passively collecting some odds and ends . . .

• I've been quite delinquent in posting TW scores, but if you follow HIW, DPlaya has kept you informed (follow the links for his game posts, as there's some good info there).
  
  9/12-9/13
  TW Minor
  7-2 win over Team Metro Southwest
  3-5 loss to Team Northeast (including an empty net goal for NE)
  9-0 win over Norway (Omaha had 12 players with N1H1 flu, so Norway filled in)
  
  TW Major
  2-4 loss to Team Southeast
  0-4 loss to Team Southwest
  0-4 loss to Team Northwest
  
  9/5-9/6
  TW Minor
  2-5 loss to Chicago Mission Minor
  1-2 loss to Chicago Mission Minor
  
  TW Major
  6-2 win over Duluth Northwings
  5-2 win over Minnesota Blades
  6-4 win over Milwaukee Junior Admirals

• Andy Brandt is a Salmon King. He had spent 2 years in Gwinnett, but apparently they sent him to Victoria in a 3-way trade w/ Carolina. About Brandt, Victoria's GM/Head Coach Mark Morrison says:
  

  "Andy is a great addition to our team. He is an aggressive player who finishes checks and can put the puck in the net."

• As you know, Badger alum Pat Flatley resigned from the NHLPA when Paul Kelly was axed. I was interested to read that fellow Badger alums Chris Chelios and Adam Burish were on the executive committee. (Aw hell, I lost the links. I'll try to add 'em back in later if I can find them.)
  

• Adam Augustine is previewing the Badger Women, and here's his Forwards preview. And of course, his previews include videos!

• Andy Baggot has a nice article how Mike Valley got his new job with Stars via word-of-mouth. It's not surprising that Valley is well-liked and respected by goaltenders that he worked with. Once again, I'd like to congratulate Mike on his well-deserved new job.

• Jessie Vetter is this month's Next American Star in USA Hockey Magazine.

• Boscacci tells us that we can follow Erika Lawler on the Qwest Tour, as she'll have podcasts throughout the tour.

• The LA Times had a nice piece on the US Men's and Women's National Teams last week.
  

• HF has a Q&A with Jamie McBain.

• Four Badgers will be on the WCHA All-Star Team that will face the US National Team on Sept 25 at the X -- Sophomore Sensation Brooke Ammerman, The Pride of Novia Scotia Brittany Haverstock, Captain Jasmine Giles (my pick for this year, I think), and Mallory Deluce (another fav). And of course, 1/3 of the US Team are Badgers, so if you make the trip to St. Paul, you'll get to see plenty o' Badgers . . .

• Nothing happens when I hit the PLAY button, but perhaps you'll have better luck -- Better know a Badger: Alev and Derya Kelter. Speaking of whom, I can't figure out if I ever posting this ADN article. I know I didn't post this one.

• Curtis Joseph isn't looking to retire, but he's not looking all that hard for a job, either. (Thanks to Willis for the link.)

• Capobianco has the latest Camp Randall Classic planning session. As well as a little bit of weather.
  

I have some more stuff to post, but I just don't have the time right now, so for now you'll have to settle for what's above. Perhaps tomorrow evening I'll get to the rest . . .

09/10 WCHA Previews: minnesota

School: minnesota
Mascot: a smiling rodent
National Championships: 6 > 5 sorry
Head Coach: Don Lucia, 256-126-45, 11th season

Last Season: 12-11-5, 5th Place WCHA; 17-13-7 Overall

Predicted 09/10 WCHA Finish: 5th

Key Departures:
F Ryan Stoa, 24-22-46*
F Justin Bostrom, 5-4-9
D RJ Anderson, 0-4-4
*All stats listed from 08/09

Key Returnees: (75.6% of scoring returns)
F Jordon Schroeder (So), 13-32-45
F Jay Barriball (Sr), 11-23-34
D Cade Fairchild (Jr), 9-24-33
F Mike Hoeffel (Jr), 12-8-20
F Ryan Flynn (Sr), 6-13-19

Top Sieve:
Alex Kangas, 17-11-6, 2.79 GAA, 0.901 save %

Key Additions:
D Nick Leddy (MN HS), 12-33-45
F Josh Birkholz (USHL), 21-15-36
F Zach Budish (MN HS), IR
D Seth Helgeson (USHL), 4-12-16
F Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), 1-4-5 [transfer]

Freshman Scouting Report: A small, but good freshman class, which would have included Nate Condon and Jake Yousu had tDon not done the unthinkable and pushed a player back a season. Budish is the best player in the class, he was stellar in HS Elite League last year, but then suffered a season ending knee injury playing football. Leddy was the first American drafted this past summer, and is the 2009 Mr. Hockey. Birkholz and Helgeson both had decent seasons in the USHL last year, Helgeson is supposedly a stay at home defenseman, but as 60 always asks, is he self respecting becoming a gopher? Cepis was on the CCHA all rookie team as a freshman before deciding to trade one ugly jersey in for another; he won’t see the ice til 2010.

When Wisconsin Beats goldy: KC 11/6 & 11/7; @um 3/5 & 3/7

08/09 Recap: The gophers started out the season strong, then were a sinking ship in the 2nd half of the season, as goalie Alex Kangas slowly sucked the life out of wins w/ his incredibly bad play in net. The 2nd half included being swept by North Dakota, Mankato and CC, w/ the dagger in the heart coming when the Badgers swept them at home. The gophers went to the Final Five only to be sent home by Alex Stalock and Duluth. In typical gopher fan fashion, the Final Five was pretty empty the rest of the weekend, as gopher fans retreated to their homes to begin the long process of placing blame for another bad season on someone, having previously used Mike Guentzel as the scapegoat during the last off season. No NCAA tourney bid either.

Team’s Biggest Strength(es): minnesota always has a lot of talented players as a lot of the top in state talent stays at home, but its always a question if they will pull all that talent together in a cohesive unit.

Team’s Biggest Weakness(es): Besides the completely apathetic fan base, full of some of the biggest idiots breathing oxygen in the world, their biggest weakness is Alex “Soft Goal” Kangas. Teammates have to shoot watermelons at him in practice to build up his confidence.

09/10 Thoughts: I’m sure the gophers “could” finish higher than 5th, but nothing from the end of last season really leads me to believe this will occur. Jordan Schroeder is a bright spot returning after Vancouver drafted him in the 1st round this summer there was talk he might sign w/ them. He should be a leading candidate for WCHA POY. The glaring weakness on the team is Alex Kangas. He Wangased away so many games for them down the stretch, he might start strong but like any good gopher goalie will soon find a way to make the sieve chant seem not nearly enough of an insult about his level of play. They have talent, but a lot of the kids who were suppose to be stars haven’t turned out, and it always hurts when tDon recruits lesser in state talent and passes on kids who end up kicking butt elsewhere. They start the season @ North Dakota, then home against Denver, good luck w/ that one.

Woog and the Rug will once again sing the praises of the gopher players as they reprise their role as dumb and dumber on FSN North, along w/ Kevin Gorg who is hands down dumbest..

09/10 Men's Preview: #15 Craig Smith

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Hometown: Madison, WI
Major: unknown
Previous Team: Waterloo (USHL) last season

NHL Considerations: Drafted in the 4th round by Nashville this past summer.

08/09 Stats: 54 games, 28-48-76, +32, 108 PIM
07/08 Stats: 58 games, 13-10-23, -3, 90 PIM

09/10 Role: 3rd line (hopefully w/ Murray and Stepan) and special teams

08/09 Recap: I think its safe to say Craig had a breakout year in his final USHL campaign. He was 2nd in the league in scoring and assists, and 4th in +/-. He was a 1st team All-USHL selection, joining teammate Brett Bennett. During the middle of the season, he took part in the Junior A Challenge where he was the captain of Team USA. He led the team to gold w/ some stellar play which earned him a spot on the all-tourney team. He again led Waterloo (Badger Hockey USHL factory) to the USHL playoffs, but lost in the 1st round to Green Bay.

Biggest Strength: I was able to see Craig play once last season in GB. The one thing that really stuck out to me that night is that he plays much bigger than 6 feet tall, 195 lbs. He used his body well, and was a contributor in all scenarios on the ice.

Biggest Weakness: Based solely on his stats, he has an issue w/ PIM. He’s going to have to learn to control his temper, much like his further Nashville teammate Blake Geoffrion did.

09/10 Thoughts: I’ve learned to temper my expectations of freshman since Kyle Turris graced Madison w/ his presence for one season. Had the blog existed then and had I done these previews, I would have predicted a 45 pt regular season for young KT. I expect Craig to contribute, he is older, being 20 at the start of the season, and comes off an outstanding USHL season. How much he contributes is a different story. He played in all situations in Waterloo, and I would expect to see him on the 2nd PP unit, though getting a spot on the PK might be difficult. If he beats my expectations, great, but w/ the depth at forward this season, there is no reason for unreasonable KT like expectations to cause disappoint. Getting his feet wet in some WCHA action and being ready to step up in 10/11 will be key.

I think Badger fans will like what they see of the Madison native (if you haven’t seen him already). I’ve been hyping him here on the blog for months, and can’t wait to see him play.

Prediction: 32 games, 8-8-16*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Preview: #15 Alev Kelter

Vitals:

Position: Defense
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska
Major: Undeclared
Previous Team: Chugiak HS (boy’s team) and Team USA U18 last season

08/09 Stats: 5-3-8 @ Women’s WJC

09/10 Role: 2nd or 3rd pairing after soccer season

08/09 Recap: Alev (pronounced uh-LEV) served as team captain of Team USA in the 2009 Women’s WJC. The team was coached by Mark Johnson, and Alev was teammates w/ Brianna Decker and future Badger Alex Rigsby as they won gold. When she wasn’t busting it on the ice, she was busting it on the pitch. She was named Alaska’s POY in soccer in 2008 and captained Team USA’s U18 Select team against Canada. Future team captain in waiting.

09/10 Thoughts: Alev is currently playing soccer on UW Women’s team along w/ her twin sister Derya, so her season w/ the Badger will likely not begin til the 2010 part of the schedule. She had two goals to lead the soccer team over DePaul the other day. Based on her past success, I would guess she will step right in and make a difference on the Badger blue line. It appears the coaching staff has collected quite the freshman class of defenders.

Prediction: 18 games, 2-6-8*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

Under the cover of night, another WCHA team bumps players to 2010

As a Badger fan, one of the regular comments left by fans of lesser teams always revolves around Eaves and company bumping back players a year. This year, unfortunately Tyler Barnes was asked to come in in 2010 instead of joining the Badgers this year as planned. Much was made by gopher fans who apparently know every kid in their state about how Eaves was screwing this kid over and had he know this was going to happen, he wouldn't have verballed to UW.

Well gopher fans, I want you to tell me then how Nate Condon and Jake Youso feel right now. Both were 2009 gopher recruits before tDon had to pull the rug out from under them and tell them sorry but you'll have to wait another year to wear that ugly jersey. I wonder if they wish they would have left their commitment open and went somewhere else where NHL GM's aren't criticizing the progression of their draft picks and pushing players back since minnesota currently has so many untalented hacks that NHL teams don't want to bring them in.

Chris Heisenberg's recruiting blog provides all the proof that is needed. Take a look first at his final 2008 recruit spreadsheet and scroll down to minnesota. Condon and Youso are both listed as 2009 recruits, now look again at the 2009 recruit spreadsheet where Youso is now a 2010 recruit, Condon is listed as 2009, but if you are brave enough to link over and endure the utter horror of the gopher website you won't find Nate Condon on the roster. Instead you'll find Nate Condon on the Fargo Force USHL roster. Even better if you look again at the 2008 spreadsheet Nick Leddy is listed as a 2009 OR 2010 recruit. Sure he is a dman while Condon and Youso are forwards, but these little details have never stopped Badger haters from jacking Eaves for pushing off a year X OR year Y kid for another player to add to the roster.

I'm in no way saying that Eaves hasn't made a few poor decisions on the recruiting front w/ stockpiling players and bringing in guys like Bardis who weren't going to crack the lineup taking up spots on the roster, but Eaves isn't the only one guilty of pushing players back. Before gopher fans come over here on their high horse to bash Bucky's recruiting practices, maybe its time to take a look in the mirror (if your mom will let you out of the basement to look at one) and see your golden program and moron coach are guilty of the same crimes you decry others of committing.

09/10 Men's Previews: #14 Ben Grotting

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Right
Height: 6-1
Weight: 197
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Major: History
Previous Team: Lincoln (USHL) in 05/06

NHL Considerations: Could find a minor league contract after the season.

08/09 Stats: 35 games, 5-9-14, +1, 25 PIM
07/08 Stats: 39 games, 2-7-9, +1, 27 PIM

09/10 Role: 4th line and PK

08/09 Recap: I think Ben’s season can best be remembered for the beating he put on Patricia “Whitey” White when the gophers came to town in October. Nothing like watching your team fall to 0-5-1, but very proud to be a Badger have watching a hated rival’s player turtle on the ice while he received a much deserved beating. Overall, I’m not a fan of fighting in hockey just to fight, but when someone pulls some **** its time to drop the gloves. Overall, Ben had a very nice season, and was consistently one of the better defensive forwards on the team, while increasing his offensive production.

Biggest Strength: Ben brings a solid defensive game to the ice each night and isn’t afraid to get dirty out there to get the job done and help the team win.

Biggest Weakness: He is not going to be a big contributor to the Badger offense w/ any regularity.

09/10 Thoughts: Ben could possibly find himself as a regular on the 4th line w/ yesterday’s Badger Aaron Bendickson. It is possible that one of them could slide up in the lineup to add some defense and energy to a scoring line. Both players produce similar results on the ice, but have different styles of play. Should Ben find himself w/ Bendickson, Sean Dolan and/or Matt Thurber on the checking line, they would make a formidable trio against the scoring lines of the WCHA and make their lives hell, while chipping in a few goals when the opportunity arises.

Prediction: 30 games, 3-5-8*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Previews: #14 Carla Pentimone

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Left
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Communications/Sociology
Previous Team: Sacred Heart in 07/08

08/09 Stats: None
07/08 Stats: 23 games, 5-9-14

09/10 Role: 4th line

08/09 Recap: Carla transferred from Sacred Heart and redshirted.

09/10 Thoughts: I don’t really know much about Carla and am not sure where she will fit in w/ the Badgers this season. She could have played last season as transfer rules for Women’s hockey only require a redshirt year and sitting out if you transfer in conference; she just plain redshirted after not seeing any PT. W/ the team short at forward, she should see some playing time throughout the year.

Prediction: 10 games, 1-1-2*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

Zengerle starts w/ goal and assist

Mark Zengerle had a goal and an assist in last night's game, after being held off the scoresheet on friday night to open the BCHL season. Unfortunately, his team was on the wrong end of the score both nights, losing in OT last night.

Dplaya pointed out over at HIW that Salmon Arm (Zengerle's team) is ranked #7 in the CJHL rankings which accounts for all 10 Junior A leagues in Canada. Their opponent this weekend, Vernon, is ranked #1.

09/10 Men's Previews: #13 Aaron Bendickson

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Right
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN
Major: History
Previous Team: Des Moines (USHL) in 05/06

NHL Considerations: Could find a minor league contract after the season.

08/09 Stats: 33 games, 2-3-5, +5, 16 PIM
07/08 Stats: 37 games, 6-4-10, -2, 4 PIM

09/10 Role: 4th line and PK

08/09 Recap: Aaron was in street clothes early in the season due to injury, but was a regular in the lineup after returning. He was part of a solid 4th line group that did a good job agitating the opponents and working hard, and also saw some time on the PK. I really thought he was going to be more of an offensive part of the team, and he had a lot of good chances, but nothing went his way.

Biggest Strength: Not many Badgers leave it all on the ice every shift line Aaron does. He is full of hussle and never stops working til the shift is over, and I think this is a large part of the reason why he has been a regular the last two seasons.

Biggest Weakness: He’s shown flashes of offense, but overall that is not the strong point of his game. He more than makes up for it in his own end and on the PK.

09/10 Thoughts: Aaron should again be a regular in the lineup this season, and again should be a key part of the 4th line, w/ three solid scoring lines projected, that is let loose to cause havoc and shutdown opposing teams scoring lines. He has excelled in this role his entire career and hopefully he can find some chances to add some offense to a team that is pretty deep at forward and shouldn’t have much trouble scoring goals.

Prediction: 30 games, 4-6-10*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Previews: #13 Olivia Jakiel

Vitals:

Position: Defender
Year in School: Junior
Shoots Left
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Major: Journalism
Previous Team: California Selects in 06/07

08/09 Stats: 41 games, 0-9-9, +35, 20 PIM
07/08 Stats: 41 games, 1-4-5, +26, 10 PIM

09/10 Role: 2nd pairing, special teams

08/09 Recap: Olivia was another solid piece of the UW blue line last season. She was 6th on the team in +/- and 3rd on the blue line, while contributing in all situations out on the ice.

09/10 Thoughts: From my perspective, this season is all about stepping up at all positions for the Badger Women. The blue line is no different, as a junior Olivia will join Malee Windmeier as the leaders on defense, and w/ three freshman joining them and the loss of Alycia Matthews their play will be important to the success of the Badgers during this Olympic season.

Prediction: 34 games, 1-7-8*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

An End to the Dany Heatley Trade Saga? Pt. II

This time, Bob McKenzie is reporting via Twitter:

heatley for michalek, cheechoo and a second rder done deal

TSN.ca story.
Ottawa Sun

And the official announcement on NHL.com. And from the San Jose Sharks webiste.

This time, we can take it seriously. If for no other reason than the fact that ESPN didn't break the story.

The Sharks can eat it, but now they have two of the most talented Badger Alums in the NHL. I can still wish that the Sharks finish in the bottom third of the league while also hoping that Pavs and Heatley score 100 points each, right?

09/10 Men's Previews: #12 Matt Thurber

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Right
Height: 5-9
Weight: 190
Hometown: Beaver Dam, WI
Major: Business
Previous Team: Omaha (USHL) in 07/08

NHL Considerations: He is just starting his hockey career.

08/09 Stats: 33 games, 2-6-8, -3, 24 PIM
07/08 Stats: 58 games, 14-41-55 +23, 71 PIM

09/10 Role: 4th line and PK (as a fan hoping for more)

08/09 Recap: After a high scoring season in the USHL, I had big hopes for Matt last season, and really he didn’t disappoint me. He was boxed into a 4th line grinder role (due to depth), while not a weakness, I think misses his game’s strength. He has some bright flashes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially the night against Michigan State where his line w/ Ben Grotting and John Mitchell accounted for all the offense. While his faceoff % needs to improve, Matt did something no one else was close to doing, which was almost scoring directly from the faceoff circle on a few occasions. Not a bad freshman season overall.

Biggest Strength: Playmaking, we haven’t seen a lot of it yet, but I’ve seen flashes. Hopefully as a sophomore Matt puts it together and shows off his skills. Strong on the PK as well.

Biggest Weakness: Nothing glaring sticks out at me, it appeared he adjusted slowly to the WCHA like most frosh. I won’t pass judgment until I see more of him this season.

09/10 Thoughts: W/ the immense depth at forward this season, Matt is going to have to fight for PT. As the season gets close to starting, I’m eager to hear who’s improved over the summer, who hasn’t and how that translates into an opening night lineup based on a few weeks of practice in October. I again have high hopes for Matt and would like to see him regularly in the lineup, and when he is in there Eaves using some of his playmaking ability instead of miring him as a PK/grinder/checking line role. Not that there is anything wrong w/ the PK, I tip my hat to those who perform that thankless job. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, Matt works hard through this season, he’ll be a big part of the 10/11 team’s offense.

Prediction: 30 games, 6-15-21*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Previews: #12 Jasmine Giles

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Left
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Major: Kinesiology
Previous Team: All Saints HS & Ontario U18 Team Red in 05/06

08/09 Stats: 41 games, 5-18-23, +4, 30 PIM
07/08 Stats: 41 games, 16-29-45, +23, 40 PIM

09/10 Role: 1st or 2nd line, PP, PK

08/09 Recap: Jasmine was another piece of the dominant 3rd line for the Badgers a season ago. She also saw a lot of ice time on special teams, and if my memory serves correct she was part of the 1st all-forward PP unit. Her stats really took a big jump as they basically doubled from her sophomore season, and along the way was one of the most consistent Badgers scoring in about 75% of their games.

09/10 Thoughts: Jasmine has been named team captain for the 09/10 season. Similar to Mallory Deluce and Kyla Sanders, I have Jasmine tabbed as a player who needs to step up as her role on the team expands further as a senior. She plays in all situations and w/ the graduation of Erika Lawler and the Olympic departure of Hilary Knight is one of the only Badgers remaining to do that. Part of her job will be to lead the Badger Women to NC #4 this season.

Prediction: 34 games, 15-25-40*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

Breaking the ice with Keegan Meuer

Evidently, UWBadgers.com is going to do a sort of survey/profile of all our freshmen in the coming weeks. Part 1 with Keegan Meuer is up on the website. It's not much more than a Q&A type of survey, but for those interested, here's some of the highlights:

Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers

How many songs in your ipod/mp3 player: 1,542

First job: Bus boy at State Street Brats

Hidden talent nobody knows about: I can fit a quarter in my nose

Why did you come to Wisconsin: I was born a Badger

Worst movie you’ve ever seen: "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"

Who would you entrust your spare house/apartment key to? Leslie Johnson (Patrick Johnson’s mom)

You have to wonder if he's going to get crap from Ratty about that last one...

09/10 Men's Previews: #11 Andy Bohmbach

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Left
Height: 6-2
Weight: 198
Hometown: Hudson, WI
Major: Consumer Science
Previous Team: Waterloo (USHL) in 05/06

NHL Considerations: He’s the Bohmber; he creates his own destiny.

08/09 Stats: 39 games, 10-15-25, +4, 28 PIM
07/08 Stats: 17 games, 0-3-3, +1, 6 PIM

09/10 Role: 1st or 2nd line, PP & PK

08/09 Recap: Much like Tom Gorowsky, the Bohmber came out of no where last season to become a top contributor to the Badger offense and had a breakout season. This breakout really hit full swing following the much loved Andy Bohmbach week here on the blog. Andy did everything for the Badgers last season. He notched double digit goals, played big minutes in scoring situations, spending some time on the PP, and was a dominator on the PK. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sweet passes from the Bohmber to Derek Stepan as they connected twice during the same PK against the Sioux on Senior Night. Who knew the Bohmber had some scoring and passing touch? Beyond all the things he did to fill the stat sheet, he never stopped being one of the hardest workers on the ice, which carried over from his sophomore campaign.

Biggest Strength: I’m not sure if there is anything I don’t like about the Bohmber’s game, but he is beyond solid in his own end and puts all his effort into each shift. Given the chance, he didn’t look bad on offense either.

Biggest Weakness: Weakness…not sure this word applies to Andy Bohmbach.

09/10 Thoughts: As my favorite Badger, it going to be sad to see the Bohmber graduate in the Spring. There will be time enough for melancholy feelings later, between now and then I predict the Hudson native will again vanquish his WCHA foes as he continues his strong play throughout his senior year. The tandem of Bohmbach and Stepan on the PK at the end of the season was lights out, and he should continue as a key PK guy this season. PK guys get no love, or not the love they are due. Being a lefty his place in the offense is assured, and besides that, he reminded us during Andy Bohmbach Week that he’s a goal scorer. I can’t wait to chant “Bohmber! Bohmber!” again this season. The Bohmber personifies Badger Hockey; while I'm sure he loves to score goals (who wouldn't?), he'll selflessly do all the hardwork in the corner or out in front blocking a shot just as readily.

I think it is only right to end this w/ a quote from RabidBucky over on Buckyville, “I don't even need to state that The Bohmber will dominate and lay waste to all in his path. You will find Andy Bohmbach by following the trail of broken hearted fans of opposing teams and broken spirited players who had the misfortune of opposing him.”

Prediction: 35 games, 12-18-30*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Previews: #11 Kyla Sanders

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Senior
Shoots Right
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Fort Myers, FL
Major: Not sure
Previous Team: North American Hockey Academy

08/09 Stats: 41 games, 10-17-27, +26, 12 PIM
07/08 Stats: 41 games, 14-6-20, +14, 24 PIM

09/10 Role: 1st or 2nd line, PP, PK

08/09 Recap: Kyla was part of the best 3rd line in the country working together w/ Jasmine Giles and Brooke Ammerman. While her goal scoring declined, her scoring overall improved as her role expanded w/ the team. She was good on the PK too, notching 3 SH goals during the season.

09/10 Thoughts: Kyla has been named assistant captain for the season, and I think she is very deserving. As I mentioned a few days ago, I think she is one of the players who needs to step up during her senior season w/ Knight and Duggan off on the Olympic team. It will be interesting to see what the coaching staff does this season. The aforementioned 3rd line worked well together last year, and would look good as the 1st or 2nd line this season.

Prediction: 34 games, 16-18-34*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

An End to the Dany Heatley Trade Saga?

ESPN.com is reporting that Badger Alum Dany Heatley's much publicized trade demand is finally being fulfilled. (Props to GLM for bringing it up on the USCHO boards)

In another case of their "sources say" reporting (remember how that's worked out for them before with Kobe Bryant's trade demands and the every-step-you-take reporting of Brent Favre's "retirement"?), ESPN is claiming that John Buccigross has been informed that Heater is on his way to San Jose as part of a three team deal involving the Senators, the Sharks and the Kings.

The Kings will get the I-have-less-emotion-than-Chuck-Norris ex-Shark captain Patrick Marleau, and send Jarret Stoll and Alexander Frolov to Ottawa.

Not a bad move for the Sharks and Sens, if you ask me. The Sharks get a dynamo forward in exchange for a part of their team they've been unsure about for a while, and the Sens get some desperately needed depth at forward. I really like what Frolov has done in that dump of a franchise in LA, he has a very promising future indeed. As for Marleau, well... learn to swim learn to swim learn to swim.

The only thing I truly hate about this deal: I now have more, not fewer reasons to put my hatred of the Sharks on hold.

Edit: *Sigh* The moment I post this, espn updates it with a full denial by both Bryan Murray and Doug Wilson. Way to report rumors (again), ESPN.

09/10 Men's Previews: #10 Patrick Johnson

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Junior
Shoots Left
Height: 5-9
Weight: 156
Hometown: Madison, WI
Major: Not sure
Previous Team: Lincoln (USHL) in 06/07

NHL Considerations: 7th round pick of Montreal in the 2008 NHL Draft.

08/09 Stats: 35 games, 3-4-7, E, 44 PIM
07/08 Stats: 40 games, 8-13-21, +8, 36 PIM

09/10 Role: Fighting for PT

08/09 Recap: After a wildly successful freshman season and being drafted by the Canadiens in the NHL Draft, things were looking up for Ratty Johnson. Things didn’t quite go as well during his sophomore campaign. True, a lot of Ratty’s production as a freshman was the benefit of being linemates w/ Blake Geoffrion and Kyle Turris for a large part of the season, and there would be a drop off as his role moved off the 1st line. He was a regular on the PK to start the season, but wasn’t seeing regular shifts there by the end of the season. Ratty admitted that he was trying to be a different player than he was during his freshman year. He looked to be a scorer instead of the high energy player who became a fan favorite on the ice for reasons beyond his last name.

Biggest Strength: As I just mentioned, Ratty’s biggest strength is his high energy game filled w/ reckless abandoned. As a freshman, he took on everyone. NoDak pseudo thug Joe Finley cried in the shower after being owned by Patrick Johnson. I’m no NHL scout, but I think Montreal drafted him for this reason. He is rarely out hussled on the ice, he scores hardworking goals. He was very successful as a freshman doing all of the above. His defensive game isn’t too shabby either.

Biggest Weakness: Unlike his father, he is not big time playmaker, but doesn’t need to be either.
09/10 Thoughts: A familiar theme w/ some of the forwards that have been previewed so far, not sure what to expect this season. I was kinda disappointed last season w/ Ratty’s play. Unlike a few teammates, he always gives his best effort, but I thought as a freshman he was an essential part of the team, he brought something that no one else did. Last season, I didn’t see that. I’m really hoping Ratty returns to his freshman form; there is great depth at forward (common theme) so playing time will be precious. Based on last season’s performance, I think Ratty will fight for PT along w/ a host of other guys. He needs to do something to lock in a spot and I hope he does. When he’s playing his game, he is a fun player to watch.

Prediction: 10 games, 1-2-3*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

09/10 Women's Previews: #10 Derya Kelter

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska
Major: Undeclared
Previous Team: Chugiak HS

08/09 Stats: ?? games, 2-4-6
07/08 Stats: ?? games, 11-12-23

09/10 Role: 4th line after the soccer season

08/09 Recap: Derya’s stats might be a little misleading, she played on her HS’s boy’s team throughout high school. As a junior she was the JV captain. Won three state hockey titles up in Alaska.

09/10 Thoughts: Derya joins the Badgers along w/ her twin sister Alev, but not until the Women’s Soccer season ends. She should find some PT at forward once she switches gears onto the hockey team, though I don’t know enough about her to know how significant her role will be w/ the Badgers right out of the gate.

Prediction: 18 games, 1-4-5*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com