dagies

He'll develop for a year either way. Making the assumption that he's signed a 1 year deal based on what I read in the article, what he could sign for next year really just depends on what he does this upcoming year. So, yes, he could play for the Sioux and sign for $600k next year. Or he could play for the Swiss team and sign for $600k next year. He'll be $300k ahead this way. Even if it doesn't work out this way and all he signs for next year is $300k when in fact he could have signed for $600k had he stayed at UND, he'd still have the same amount of money at the end of that year. But he would have earned $300k in a year he risked injury, rather than not earning anything. It seems to be a deal hard to pass up.

Well, he's small so that won't help him but he's very skilled. We've barely had a chance to see what Brady can do on the ice, and what we've seen has been pretty impressive. Whether he can make the big show is a question mark for many players, not just Brady. But one can understand, if he's getting paid $300,000-$400,000 in this one time opportunity he might have to take it. He could get injured again on his next hit. Would you rather be sitting in college studying or collecting $300,000 when that happens? While this sounds like a special situation, I get concerned that similar pro opportunities will entice other good players from college teams for similar reasons. Good for Brady, but a bummer for the fans.

wasn't serious

Can't hurt to have someone from Canada with an interest in hockey managing this facility.

And here I've been waiting for them to call and ask me to apply...

Thanks, Heisenberg lists him as a lefty.

Personally, I'd rather see Oshie play 2 years in the USHL. Think how good he'd be then!

I'll retract my statement if the board moderator thinks I'm out of line.

Sorry. I just don't buy that other players would get protected when Parise wasn't. Maybe the new rules regarding obstruction will make a difference between how things were called then and now. I just don't buy that Kessel will be given a different standard than Parise based on his rep.

If Parise WAS mugged, and Kessel gets even more hype why WON'T Kessel get mugged too?

jloos, only Vandevelde and Ammerman were drafted in the 2004 USHL futures draft. So that answers my question above.

We've discussed whether Heisenberg's site can be used to judge how highly rated a player is relative to his peers. Those at the top of the list probably are the best, but you can't say "this guy was ranked 19th in the BCHL on Heisenberg's site". That said, Reaney and Martens were both middle of the pack guys on Heisenberg's BCHL site. Reaney was probably a half dozen players higher, but they were in the same grouping. That might answer some questions.....

I've corresponded with someone who watches a lot of hockey in the BCHL, and while he's an amateur like most of us he seems pretty knowledgeable and level about the analysis he gives on players. Here's what he said about Martens, FWIW.

jloos, could any of those players you mentioned be on a USHL team's protected list? If so they wouldn't be eligible to be drafted. I think they said protected lists will be posted a couple of weeks after the draft is completed.

popeye, thanks for the great news. I thought Kaip showed promise last year and it's heartening to hear he's been symptom free now for some time. I will admit it dragged on long enough I was beginning to worry that his career might be over. Good luck, Rylan!

Here's another recent post on the BCHL site. I realize anyone can write anything. But it's fairly consistent with other stuff that has been found on Reaney

To answer the question posed in the subject of this thread: This is a post on the BCHL message board today. Martens BCHL Profile 2nd on Team in Regular Season Scoring Overall he was 34th in scoring in the BCHL regular season with 22-40-62. For comparison Watkins was 11th at 36-38-74. He's one of the few players listed as a Center.

Ok Hammy. In Hak we trust. I hardly think he would have made an impulsive decision on committing a big scholarship to a below average defender who he will only have to cut later.....

I'm no expert on these drafts but it seems strange that a team would take a very high pick on a player unless they thought he was going to play for them. Means nothing but seeing Okposo, Marto, Dowzak et al taken so highly makes me think these guys are more than "flyers" that the drafting team HOPES they will get for next year. It's surprising to me to see guys like Dowzak and Okposo leaving Shattuck early for the USHL.

Chorney mirrors what I think of next year's team. More skill and less physical play than we've seen lately. Will be fun to watch the transition game with more skilled puck handlers on the blue line. We may have to accept the trade off. We may not be killing opposing forwards in our defensive zone next year and will have to accept that. On the other hand, hopefully we'll enjoy the benefit of the increased puck skills.

Oh, I KNOW Goon is just waiting to use this.