Michigan may have beaten out their fellow NCAA schools for Moffatt's services, but now they may face an even tougher test from the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL who drafted Moffatt last spring and don't seem willing to let him go without a fight. From Moffatt:
"I've just not made up my mind," says Moffatt, "the NCAA route is very exciting, but I'm going to take my time before making a decision."Kelowna general manager Bruce Hamilton some interesting comments of his own:
And to Moffatt's credit, he admits that the school he commits to (that being Michigan), will know the situation right up front.
"Yes, they will know the drill, that it will be a commitment pending my decision to play either college or in the WHL. This will make things easier for me though. It will either be Kelowna, or (Michigan)."
"The college system is great, and we're not trying to recruit against them, but kids who come (to the WHL) and particularly to us come here to become hockey players and make a fast track to the NHL."So he's not trying to recruit against the NCAA or Michigan, but...
"Back a few years ago, we drafted (Alaska native, former US NTDP winger and one-time Michigan Wolverine) Jason Ryznar to come join our program. Again, I've got nothing but respect for the US college system, but in my opinion, had he come here to play major junior, he'd be in the NHL right now."Ok, it's Mythbusters! time.
Ryznar was drafted in the 3rd round with the 64th overall pick in the NHL draft. So far in his career, he's played 8 NHL games. Surely, WHL players drafted in a similar position are dominating the NHL on a nightly basis.
2002 draft:
61st-Johnny Boychuk, defenseman, Calgary- 0 NHL games played.
69th-Erik Christensen, forward, Kamploops- 94 NHL games played.
73rd-Barry Brust, goalie, Spokane-11 NHL games played
74th-Todd Ford, goalie, Swift Current-O NHL games played
77th-Patrick Wellar, defenseman, Portland-O NHL games played
92nd-Derek Krestanovich, forward, Moose Jaw-0 NHL games played
2001 draft:
52rd-Kiel McLeod, forward, Kelowna-0 NHL games played
58th-Nathan Paetsch, defenseman, Moose Jaw-64 NHL games played
59th-Matt Keith, forward, Spokane- 24 NHL games played
68th-Grant McNeill, defenseman, Prince Albert-3 NHL games played
74th-Chris Heid, defenseman, Spokane-0 NHL games played
77th-Darren McLachlan, forward, Seattle-0 NHL games played
79th-Garth Murray, forward, Regina-99 NHL games played
80th-Michael Garnett, goalie, Saskatoon, 24 NHL games played
2000 draft:
52nd-Shane Endicott, forward, Seattle-45 NHL games played
61st-Jakub Cutta, defenseman, Swift Current-8 NHL games played
64th-Philip Novak, defenseman, Regina-17 NHL games played
65th-David Morrissette, forward, Seattle-4 NHL games played
69th-Ben Knopp, forward, Moose Jaw-0 NHL games played
78th-Josef Balej, forward, Portland-18 NHL games played
82nd-Sean O'Connor, forward, Moose Jaw-0 NHL games played
This doesn't mean the WHL is a terrible route, and the NCAA is vastly superior. There are certainly a lot of cases of players that went the college route and were drafted in a similar position. But I think this makes it pretty clear that the WHL's argument of being "the fast track to the pros" is pretty much garbage. Only two players on that list of 21 players have played more than a full season's worth of games in the NHL.
Besides, a comparison of Moffatt to Jason Ryznar seems a bit foolish to me. If Moffatt truly projects to be a top NHL pick, a better comparison would be players like Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel, Erik Johnson, and Jack Johnson. Did any of those players have a tough time making it to the NHL? Were they slowed down at all by going the college route? So again, I don't see that argument having any sort of merit.
40 comments:
I think this is a ploy by the Moffatt camp who are looking for the best situation.
Put it this way; Kelowna Rockets, pay up(probably $300 000 mimimum) or you are going on call block.
The Ohl is getting the message the last few years with appropriate reported offers (Kane, Ryan, Gagner). However, it is the Whl that seems a bit stubborn of paying the players. Once the players start holding out for what they are worth, the wallets will open up.
If you are a talented 2nd overall pick in the bantam grab, I would say dont sign for anything less than a million. After all, look what you are giving up.
Chris you are missing the point.
Players like Johnson,Kessel, Toews,ect only played 1 or 2 years of college hockey. I think the top prospects are asking themselves whats the point of going to college in the first place if I'm only going to spend 1 or 2 years there?
Look for Moffat to be in the WHL next year.
Moffatt is 100percent committed to MICIGAN
he is going to michigan.
he already lives there.
great for the wolverines!
the quotes were made before he made a college commitment.
he is going to Michigan!!fantastic for them.
110% commited to Michigan??? Hmmm, Inside source told me that he is 90% sure Moffat will play in the dub next year.....all that remains to be seen is will Kelowna ante up on what Moffat's camp wants. Apparantly they are waiting to see what kind of year Moffat has to see if he is worth the price he is asking. If they feel he is, he will be in the WHL and that is 100% guaranteed!
usually when this situation comes about, they are gone. but you have good points on ncaa vs whl again, chris.
100 percent college.
he would have signed 1st overall with portland if he was going to the dub.
what a great school he is going to!
Nice comparison of information there on the WHL vs NCAA for a player drafted in a similar position.
I think US hockey and the NCAA system are pumping out better and better talent every year (look at the last few drafts) and this will keep US kids on the NCAA route seeing that they can stay at/nearer to home and still live out there dream if they put in the effort.
Did Bruce Hamilton explain on what is going on with Tysen Dowzak (MN) right now?
This same Kelowna team persuaded him of this same direct route to the NHL crap.
Well, he is 19, never been drafted.
This was a player who was once considered top ten draft material.
I seriously doubt Moffatt's "camp" is all about money. If you've ever stood in Yost arena or shook hands with Red Berensen, you know it's not something you do lightly. Anyone with a soul could not possibly reneg on such a verbal. Moffatt's a Wolverine in 2010 or my name is Bobby Orr.
Apparently the previous remark was made by somebody who has never heard of the name Trevor Lewis. lol
Or A.J. Jenks! LOL!!!!!
Or Robbie Earl! (reneged and went to Wisconsin)
Andy Green (not even drafted) (Miami)
Drew Miller (MSU)
David Moss (Michigan)
Ryan Kessler (Ohio state)
Cory Potter (Mich. state)
Chris Kuntz (Ferris State)
US college hockey did not hold them up and they all will ALSO have a degree... Collete hockey a deterent to a career? Please....
moffatt will go to the whl. he is a phenom and if anyone has actually met him he looks like a major junior player. they play differently and look differnt. also, he is from out west and most of the phenoms who have gone to college stayed close to home for a sentimental value. i believe taht moffatt will go to the whl not next year, because he is commited to the NTDP, but instead the year after. he truly is a special talent wiht size, grit, speed, and skill. not many in his age group can stand close to him in talent and he will have to be challenged more in order to furhther his game. he could go to the whl to do just that. teh NCAA is a great route, but some wait until they are 18 or 19 to go. moffatt will need to be pushed earlier in his career thus he will go to the WHL.
Wow Cheech (anon 6:54)! Maybe you should go mellow out for a while, then check your facts, grammar, spelling and general hockey knowledge.
I actually feel sorry for you as I can see that you are passionate about the game but you just don't have what it takes to participate in these types of discussions. It is probable that you are one that the CHL doesn't want anyone to know about.
Yeah, he was almost as bad as that college guy who said Moffat was going to MICIGAN! LOL!!!!!
Quote authorized by the Moffatt "Camp": "He is 100 percent committed to play for MICHIGAN and cannot wait to play at YOST as a Wolverine."
A-Train Hockey.
i think i probably already have a better education than you so thanks for the concern about my grammar. and seeing as how i actually am getting looks by d1 schools i personally believe that the college hockey route is the way to go. but for someone like moffatt i believe that he will go the major junior route. the money is very tempting and according to a friend of mine, who plays in the WHL, the rummors are that he will go to the WHL eventually. i am just saying what i am hearing. i am not trying to start anything.
oh and i would really love to know "what it takes" to participate in a discussion like this. its actually kind of funny you are taking this too seriously. its a blog and have you even seen moffatt play?
Here is the thing moffatt will play college hockey. But this doesnt strike me as a big deal we have 9 or 10 WCHA caliber players in arizona right now such has Danny Heath, Derik Johnson(son of NHLer Jim Johnson), Aaron Ave, Philip Sammuelson(son NHLer ULF Sammuelson), Colten St. Clair (92) Believe to be better then Moffatt, Taylor Boldt, Duncan Mckeller, Eric Ferber, Brady Lefferts, Ty Street(from Kelowna knows moffatt very well tells sources he is not going to the DUB), Kyle Beatie(who represented the USA at the U17 Tourny this summer) Dan Anderson. Who all play For Former NHLers Jimmy Johnson and Ulf Sammuelson in Phoenix AZ
What kind of money is your friend talking about?
Yes, I have seen Moffatt play. As for "what it takes" to participate in a conversation like this, I am referring to getting some of the facts straight.
For example, the comment was made about Moffatt staying close to home. He is from the Phoenix area but is relocating this season to play for Compuware which is in Michigan(not close last time I checked). After that he has committed to the NTDP which is in Ann Arbor MI. Furthermore, Kelowna is no where near Phoenix either.
Anon 11:33, sounds like you know the Phoenix area. What about Max Aaron? Is he going to continue with hockey? It would be interesting to compare him with Nate Gerbe, Ryan Bourque at the same age. I think that he will get bigger than the above players.
You guys are all idiots. Hes going straight to the show.
congrats to a good kid who gets to pursue hockey and college.
be happy for him and all the kids who keep playing hockey at any level.
Max Aaron is a great player and yes he still going to play hockey he is playing in the same organization as the other players i listed they all play for Team P.F. Changs he is in the best shape i have seen a kid his size he bang with all the big boys look for great things and about twelve total committs from the 16 and 18 team combined!
Last year when I seen the Firebirds, there was a d man, Nate Wilson, has he made a choice of where he will play? Looks like he could have some potential. Any background on this player?
wilson is out with a broken ankle currently.
Whoever commented about Dowzak doesnt have a clue. This kid only came to Kelowna after not having the grades to get into NCAA.
The reference to Dowzak was more about the "direct route to NHL" comment.
NCAA is getting better, but not on par with the WHL or the CHL in general. Thats why you will always see more players drafted out of the CHL than the NCAA.
Comparing CHL to NCAA is the proper comparison. The WHL is just one small piece to the Major Junior level which is 1st rate all the way.
Same goes for the Kelowan Rockets, 3 trips to the Mcup in 4 years.
If you wanna play half the schedule and do half the work, going to the NCAA is the way to go.
speaking moffat's family is already VERY well off...i think its pretty sure he will attend UofM
To me you can't just count the kids drafted after their freshman year as the only NCAA draftees.
You have to include the kids drafted from the USHL or the BCHL the summer before they enter as NCAA draftees as well.
So many kids enter college at 19 or 20 that many now are drafted before their freshman year.
I'd bet if you looked at the total number of draftees on the 59 NCAA teams and the 60+ CHL teams, the numbers are very close
anon 1:27
If you actually think NCAA kids do "half the work" you need a reality check.
These kids are worked to death in practice and while yes it is true they play about half the number of games, many kids pick the NCAA route because there is so much practice time that you can actually work on your game before bringing it into game situations, especially in the case of goalies.
Not to mention that the strength training programs in the NCAA are far superior from the kids I've talked to.
This Kelowna guy is NOT factoring in Ryznar's injuries- two shoulder separations, a broken hand, and last year, broken orbitals and 40 facial stitches. So, he's probably at college junior level. In addition, its apples vs.oranges - Ryznar's strengths are cycling, so he'll always play the penalty kill/3rd-4th line. More importantly, he has a degree, has made contacts that will last him a lifetime, and played before relatives (both parents are Michigan natives). Youi can probably say the same thing about Colorado College's now in Atlanta system) Joey Crabb - went for the best education west of Ann Arbor at major hockey level... .....
Max arron is playing so so this year...Nate Wilson is heald ankle is 100% and he is on fire right now
i think you will see him alot more aggressive with the puck this season and show what a leader he really is.
To the Dowzak convo, he was hurt for about half of both of his last two seasons and didn't develop because of his injuries. Without them, he would've been drafted. And this season he looks like the d-man he is supposed to be. Don't be suprised if he gets an nhl contract in his twenty year old year.
Does anyone know much on Arizona forward Danny McAuliffe? I know he is an 89' birthyear and I believe signed with a team in the NAHL. I have seen him play a few times and thought very highly of him!
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