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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)

chuckschwartz@live.com
Follow me on Twitter

Recruiting Update Part 3: Morgan Zulinick

Sunday night I started making a post of recruiting notes that I've been getting together lately. As I was working on this, the post got very, very long so I decided to break it into posts for specific players. I've got 5 updates and I've programed the site to post an update every two hours on the hour.
---------------------------------
Guy Flaming from the "Coming Down The Pipe Blog", was also kind enough to inform us that the most recent Badger recruit Morgan Zulinick, a projected 2012 recruit also was a no show this weekend at the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) camp. Zulinick was a third round draft pick if the Oil Kings.

Zulunick, a British Columbia native is considered a major possible flight risk to the WHL. After he committed last week, I had the chance to interview him and he didn't exactly ease the blood pressure of Badger fans when asked about the Oil Kings:

"As for right now, I am focused on the NCAA route. I am also young and need some more time to develop. My future with the Oil Kings is not over; it is just delayed right now. I am more focused on school and would like an education."

The recent news that he was a no show at Oil Kings camp this weekend is MAJOR positive news for Badger fans. NCAA kids are allowed to participate in camp so for Zulinick to not even show up sends a strong message that he is destined to play in Madison. Although he still has two full seasons of junior before he ever steps foot in a classroom on the UW Campus.

Zulinick told me last week that this upcoming season he will be playing with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where many recent/future Badgers have played. I spoke with one of those former Silverbacks yesterday, Mark Zengerle and he had some brief thoughts on Zulinick.

"That kid is a player. He practiced with us a few times last season probably could have been one of our better players this season."

Not bad for a 15 year old kid.

Interview With New 2012 Recruit Morgan Zulinick

Yesterday we talked about Wisconsin's latest blue chip recruit Morgan Zulinick committing for the 2012 season. Today we were fortunate enough to talk with the young man about his visit, as well as an aray of other topics. Enjoy.

Chuck Schwartz: Let’s cut right to the chase, you’ve committed to the University of Wisconsin. How long have you been in touch with them and what about Wisconsin made you want to commit to play hockey there?

Morgan Zulinick: The first time I heard from Wisconsin was during one of my league games in Kelowna. One of the recruiters from Wisconsin gave my coach a business card for me to call. I am too young for them to contact me, so he gave my coach his card. My dad later on called them and kept in touch. The second time they saw me was during a Jr. B tournament. This time they offered me the scholarship and we planned to take a trip down. The fact that Wisconsin was a big ten school, and in a great location made my decision easy. The campus was beautiful and I couldn't believe the arena. The second I stepped into the Kohl Center was when I knew I wanted to play there.

Chuck Schwartz: What other NCAA schools were you considering?

Morgan Zulinick: North Dakota and Colorado were really the only other schools I had in mind.

Chuck Schwartz: You’ve been drafted by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. Are you still considering going to the dub or are you focused on playing in the NCAA?

Morgan Zulinick: As for right now, I am focused on the NCAA route. I am also young and need some more time to develop. My future with the Oil Kings is not over; it is just delayed right now. I am more focused on school and would like an education.

Chuck Schwartz: I’m assuming you will be playing in the BCHL next season. What franchise will you be playing with?

Morgan Zulinick: I will be playing with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. I committed to them mid way through last season.

Chuck Schwartz: When you see elite players coming out of the BCHL like Kyle Turris, Ben Street, Derek Lee, and Mark Zengerle going to a school like Wisconsin, does that have an effect on a Canadian player like yourself considering going the NCAA route?

Morgan Zulinick: Knowing that other players from the BCHL makes me feel more comfortable about coming to Wisconsin. If a team was full of just American players, it is sometimes hard for a Canadian born player to fit in.

Chuck Schwartz: You’ve got two seasons of junior hockey before you come to Wisconsin, what do you need to improve to be ready to contribute as a freshman in such an intense league as the WCHA?

Morgan Zulinick: I need to continue to become stronger and faster. Off- Ice training is so critical nowadays with hockey. I know that if I continue my routines, by the time I’m 18, I will be ready to play.

Chuck Schwartz: ISS compared your game to Joe Thorntons before the WHL Draft. Do you feel that is a fair assessment and how would you describe your game?

Morgan Zulinick: I don’t think I play like Joe Thornton any more. That would have been a few years ago. I am a smaller faster type of player than a Joe Thornton. My game is based around making plays. I would probably consider myself as a play maker.

Editors Note: I can't thank Morgan enough for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this interview with us. Should be fun following this young man in Salmon Arm the next two seasons.


Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photography

Badgers Land 2012 Blue Chipper Morgan Zulinick

With respect to 2007, the Wisconsin recruiting class of 2012 continues to look like one of the best classes ever put together by head coach Mike Eaves. According to Gregg Drinnan the sports editor of the Kamloops Daily News, the Badgers took another step in solidifying that fact by landing elite forward Morgan Zulinick out of Kamloops, British Columbia.

Zulinick will spend next season honing his skills in the British Columbia Hockey Junior Hockey League where many former Badgers have performed including most recently, 2010 scoring champion Mark Zengerle.

This past season, Zulinick played with the Thompson Blazers and led the team in scoring with a point per game.

Zulinick has already been drafted into the Western Hockey League which could prove to be a challenge. The Edmonton Oil Kings selected Zulinick in the third round, 52nd overall. He lasted longer in the draft than his talent dictated due to his desire to play college hockey. International Scouting Services had him 40th overall and I've seen independent rankings that had him in the top 15.

ISS had this to say about Zulinick before the WHL draft, "Plays like a big man, similar in mold to a Joe Thornton type player. Zulinick is an excellent passer who loves to set up the play, but can also score when called upon. Zulinick is very smooth with the puck and can dazzle with his quick hands and great body control. Turned many scouts heads when he was selected to the KIBIHT all star game last season as a first year bantam player, a feat that isn’t very common."

Zulinick (British Columbia) joins USA NTDP U17 Forward Nick Kerdiles (California), Taft Prep Forward Corbin McGuire (Connecticut), and Sioux City (USHL) defenseman Jordan Schmaltz (Wisconsin) as current Wisconsin commitments for the class of 2012.

Derek Stepan's cousin Zach is most likely next in line to commit for the class of 2012. The Sophomore at Shattuck St. Marys prep school is expected to follow Derek's path to the University of Wisconsin. In addition to Wisconsin, Stepan is considering North Dakota, Denver, and Boston College according to College Hockey 247. A forward class of Stepan, Kerdiles, Zulinick, and McGuire would have the potential to do some really special things.

Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photography