Wednesday, January 23, 2008

U17s Beef Up Roster

Every year, USA Hockey sends their U17 team to Piestany, Slovakia to play in the Vlad Dzurilla Four Nations tournament. Technically, the tournament is an 18-and under tournament, so the US usually chooses to add a few players from outside the NTDP program to help fill out the roster, and give a few more players some international experience.

It isn't official yet, but it looks like USA Hockey will add four players to the current U17 roster for this roster. The first two, Derek Stepan of Shattuck St. Mary's and Mark Goggin of Choate Rosemary Prep, have both made college commitments, to Wisconsin and Dartmouth respectively, and are both '90 birthdates that are eligible for this summer's NHL Draft. The other two, Centennial High School's Tyler Pitlick and John Ramage of the NAHL's St. Louis Bandits, are both '91 birthdates.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It'll be interesting to see if Pitlick and Ramage being groomed to replace NTDP defectors?

Anonymous said...

Who's recruiting Pitlick?

Anyone heard anything?

CHRE said...

His uncle Lance was a fairly solid four-year defenseman and a one-year captain for the Gophers. Although, 2009 seems pretty full for Minnesota with the addition of Budish. He's currently on my blog as one of the hotest 15 prospects available. I imagine he's fielding several offers, but I don't know who from.

Anonymous said...

Ramage will be playing in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds next year.

There will be at least three defections to the OHL from this year's U-17 team.

Anonymous said...

Thanks chre.

I remember seeing Lance Pitlick play.

Anonymous said...

"chre" seems a little short sighted. With the way teams recruit these days, a kid like Pitlick will probably end up being a recruit whose year of entry into college won't be decided upon until late in his senior year. Many top programs seem to recruit a kid like him but agree with the player that what year he comes in will depend on need. That way a college team can cover for any non-graduation departures that could occur and the kid can still go to his top choice.

I bet when Pitlick commits, the year he comes in won't be completely decided upon until late. He could very well end up a 2010 recruit after a year of USHL. He is a good prospect but there is nothing there at this point that says he is a sure fire 2009 recruit.

Anonymous said...

who will the three OHL defections be from this year's u17 team?

Anonymous said...

pitlick has signed with minnesota state mankato and i truly believe that is a huge pick up for msu. my friends brother plays with pitlick and i have seen him play, even when he just skates around because the game is out of reach for the other team he can just turn something on that will wow you every time. if i can remember right he said he was going to take a year in juniors before heading to msu. but it is confirmed he has commited to msu.