Ranking the Recruits Part 1.....Forwards

Since there's really only one other site out on the internet that attempts to do this, I figured I'd take my own stab at trying to rank next year's incoming freshmen. DISCLAIMER: This is only my best guess based on intelligence I've gathered throughout the year, so take it for what it's worth.

I've compiled what I think will be the top 20 freshmen forwards in the WCHA and CCHA for next year, as well as the school they've chosen.


1. Phil Kessel- UMn
2. Jonathan Toews- UND
3. Andrew Cogliano- UM
4. Blake Wheeler- UMn
5. Jack Skille- UW
6. Chad Rau- CC
7. Tom Gorowsky- UW
8. Justin Abdelkader- MSU
9. Ryan Stoa- UMn
10. Michael Gergen- UMD
11. Brock Trotter- DU
12. Dan Reidel- FSU
13. Matt Watkins- UND
14. Brian Gifford- DU
15. Andrew Kozek- UND
16. Phil Axtell- MTU
17. Andreas Vlassapoulous- CC
18. Mason Raymond- UMD
19 Jared Boll- UMD
20. Justin Mercier- MU

Comments:

Obviously Kessel was the easy choice for number one. I chose Toews over Cogliano simply to avoid controversy. I think Cogliano will be a dynamite player and easily could have been number two on this list, and number one in a different year.

After those three, I think the list drops off a little, though it's still much stronger than some other years. I put Blaker Wheeler at number four, though I don't think he'll make the impact most people think. He'll need some time to adjust to the college game. The list gets a little murky after the top ten or so. Lots of very talented players, and it's anybody's guess how they'll turn out. It also remains to be seen who will be this year's Bill Thomas and will set the world on the fire despite not being on of the top guys on the list.

A few things stuck out to me about this list. First, notice the amount of WCHA recruits on this list compared to the CCHA. Impact players like these are what is causing the gap between the two leagues. The second thing, which is somewhat tied to the first, is that there is only one Ontarioan on this list, compared to 8 USHL players. The axis of power has certainly shifted in college hockey.

Check back tomorrow when I try to rank the incoming freshmen defenseman and goalies.