Wednesday, January 09, 2008

USA Hockey Rumors

One of the downsides of the NTDP U17 team playing in Ontario earlier this month is that it gave some major junior teams a reminder of just how good some of those kids are. Since the tournament, there have been a lot of rumors that a number of players were being heavily recruited by OHL teams, and could end up signing with them.

I guess it's good news to say that nobody is going anywhere for now. Most of the rumors seen to have been generated on the Canadian side of the border, and don't have much merit. In talking with people at the NTDP, only one player has actually asked for a release from the NTDP program to go to the OHL, and the NTDP has a policy of not releasing players during the middle of the season(except in certain cases, obviously). So you won't see any players leaving the NTDP until after the season, but it does remain to seen how many will be back with the program next year.

If I had to guess, and this is mostly speculation on my part, so take it for what it's worth, I'd guess that forward Jeremy Morin, who is the team's leading scorer this year, will sign with the Kitchener Rangers sometime over the summer. I was never all that confident in him going the college route to begin with, and of the rumors, the ones of him signing seemed to be the strongest.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did Morin ever commit to a college?

Moe said...

According to Heisenberg, no.

Anonymous said...

Go to the OHL?????? His brother is getting a HARVARD education!
I doubt it would happen.

Anonymous said...

His brother is getting a Harvard education and that means he won't go Major Junior?
Please....

Anonymous said...

if Morin were going to college, he would have committed to one; he has Pat Kane numbers @u17; connect the dots.

Anonymous said...

There will be more that go to Major Junior when it is all said and done.

There were more then a couple players that never got on the ice during the Final

Andrew Jordan said...

Look for several defections from this team.

Schmitz, Lynch and Golembiewski were all very high picks of Plymouth. Dont be surprised to see at least 2 of the 3 sign, starting with Schmitz, Im pretty sure its one and done at the NTDP with him.

Morin is gone, and dont be surprised if Fowler is too. Kitchener also really wants Jerry D'Amigo.

Calabrese may be tempted to sign with Oshawa too, because they should have a very good team next season.

Anonymous said...

PLYMOUTH WHALERS SIGN 2005 DRAFT CHOICE RYAN HAYES

PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Whalers President and General Manager Mike Vellucci announced the signing of 18-year-old right wing Ryan Hayes, who was selected by the Whalers in the sixth round (109th overall) of the 2005 Ontario Hockey League Draft.

“I’ve been talking to Ryan for two years,” Vellucci said. “I believe that the OHL is a great place for him to show how talented he is as a goal scorer while continuing to get an education in Plymouth.”

Hayes – 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, from Syracuse, NY – started this season with Boston College and scored two goals and an assist in six games as a freshman for the Eagles.

Before that, Hayes played two seasons for the United States National Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor. In 2005-06, Hayes scored 31 goals and 19 assists for 50 points in 51 games for the NTDP Under-17 Team and last season scored 19 goals with 28 assists for 47 points in 48 games for the NTDP Under-18 Team.

Hayes played youth hockey with the Syracuse Stars Junior Program, the same program former Whalers Robert Esche, Dan Collins and Tim and Tom Sestito played for before coming to Plymouth.

“Ryan has a great knack for scoring goals,” said Syracuse Stars head coach Donn Kirnan in a 2006 interview. “From Bantam Majors on, I thought he improved immensely. He took his game to a totally new level. On and off the ice, Ryan is a competitor. He wants to win.”

Hayes is expected to make his Plymouth debut Friday night in Sarnia and his home debut on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Erie at Compuware Arena. Tickets can be purchased for all Plymouth games by calling the Compuware Arena box office at (734) 453-8400 or by going online to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Whalers are 22-13-2-2, in third place in the OHL’s West Division and fourth overall in the Western Conference.

The Ontario Hockey League Final Trading Deadline is today at 6 p.m. Vellucci announced no other moves for the Whalers yet, but a list of deals around the OHL can

Anonymous said...

"he has Pat Kane numbers @u17; connect the dots."

Yawn, Im not saying he is or isnt going to Major Juniors but I will say Pa Kane isnt a fair comparison since Kane couldnt play at a college until after the world juniors.

Anonymous said...

Who needs a Harvard education when you can get an NHL paycheck?

Anonymous said...

WOW. hey Yawn: what anonymos probably meant was that p kane was no . 1 pick, so jm's thinking i've got better u17 numbers than pk (pro potential) so if i can go to O and still put up big numbers; im a lock for first round (and big bucks); how p k got there not relevant

Anonymous said...

The tide of NCAA-Commits leaving for the CHL is going to keep getting bigger

Anonymous said...

In talking with people at the NTDP, only one player has actually asked for a release from the NTDP program to go to the OHL, and the NTDP has a policy of not releasing players during the middle of the season(except in certain cases, obviously). So you won't see any players leaving the NTDP until after the season, but it does remain to seen how many will be back with the program next year.


So they would rather HOLD a player back? That makes sense, after not playing everyone at the U17 World Challenge

Anonymous said...

In regards, if they can't cut them, but if they are not playing or doing a part to win Gold, should they play? Don't kid yourself, every good team shortens the bench to win. why is 17 challenge different.

Anonymous said...

Because of this, taken from the USA Hockey Website:

"Efforts focus on high-caliber play and on developing well-rounded individuals off the ice. The success of the NTDP is not gauged on wins and losses, but on acquiring skills and experience."

..or sitting on the bench, not playing, being held back...

Anonymous said...

See these guys leaving after one year when their were 3-4 other Minnesota players that were twice as good as some of these guys and really wanted to be part of the program for two years. Good Luck getting your ass kicked with 20plus year olds when you hardly got ice time in a u17 tournament or were minimal impact players at the 16 National camp in Rochester new york last summer. If you cant get ice time or dominant with kids all your age how do you expect to in some of the best hockey leagues out thier in th o and WHL???????????

Anonymous said...

some kids are soft and just never cut the cord, eh!! Well rounded? win games, dude! Canada, does!

Anonymous said...

Sitting on the bench is not holding someone back, it could be the greatest motivation there is in sport. Remember, when your number is called, you better be prepared and do it right, or the next guy that does will survive the test! There is no better place to provide these tests than WORLD tournaments.

Anonymous said...

The difference is this, they get guys to go into the program because they promise them playing time. They tell them that during the first year (a promise they do make for the second year)that everyone plays, that they are not worrying about winning but on developing them. They stress that as a reason that they should go into the NTDP rather than another league where it is only about wins and losses. It's the dishonesty that is the issue.

A player left the U-18 team the program (for WHL) today and there will probably be more to come.

Anonymous said...

Is it Morin or Moron? Depends on which route.......

Anonymous said...

It was not Morin who requested the release, it was a player who didn't play much at the World U17 tournament in London, ON. Though I hear that things have worked themselves out since.

Anonymous said...

At the end of this season, at least 4 players from the U17's will leave the NTDP, take it to the bank. They will pay the ridiculous Release(Hostage) fee to USA Hockey.

Anonymous said...

Hey, why don't they pay back the $40K that is invested in them by USA Hockey per season? If you ask any person where is the logic, the fact is there is a lot at stake for all parties. That is a hell of a lot of dough for a High school scholarship. hard to match by any organization.

Anonymous said...

Well, money is being speant that smartly,

In November, the U17 were in class less thena week and a half...

Anonymous said...

$40,000 is not a lot. The Prep schools out east are $30,000+ per year, Cranbrook and OLM aren't cheap and Shattuck is pretty costly too. Check their websites for Tuition, books and lodging. It is a cheap price to pay for freedom. How much does the Average divorce cost?