yzerman19

and as important as playing 200 feet and solid defense is, the world still loves offensive highlights, and the NHL wants guys who can put the puck in the net and get fans out of their seats. Inside every team the grit, blocked shots, great routes and back pressure are revered, but scoring and playmaking are the hardest commodities to come by. Remember for chippahs, they are still trying to become somebody. They aren't anybody if they are a first round pick getting pucks deep and forechecking...that's a change you make when you are getting paid to make that change

That was sarcasm

Maybe we should wait until they get older and can see the culture...

Gotta get some chippahs! Right now those 2009s and 2010s were in kindergarten last time we won and 4th grade last time we made a push!

Now say what you will about scouting services (this is credit to Neutral Zone), but here is their list of Chippahs (4.5 star and up) for USHL midterm draft and WHL midterm draft...USA WHL, Canada WHL, Canada OHL, USHL in that order. They've got 25 identified in the 2009/2010 birth year and haven't done USA OHL Rank Name Pos Team Rating 1 Joseph Cullen F Moorhead BAA 4.75 2 Parker Colmer F Shattuck U14 4.5 3 RJ Thompson F Little Caesers U14 4.5 4 Maverick Mckinnon F Forest Lake HS 4.5 Rank Player Name Pos Team League Star Rating 1 Maddox Schultz F Regina Pats U18 SMAAAHL 4.75 2 Liam Pue F Langley HA JPHLU18 4.5 3 Louis Oscar Holowaychuk F St. Georges CSU15P 4.5 4 Nolan Wolitski D NAX CSU15P 4.5 5 Thor Liffiton D Calgary Northstars AEHL U15 4.5 Rank Player Position Team NZ Star Ranking 1 Camryn Warren C Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA 4.50 2 Charlie Murata LW Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA 4.50 3 Brock Chitaroni RW Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA 4.50 4 Kaden McGregor C Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA 4.50 5 Jaakko Wycisk C Sun County Panthers U16 AAA 4.50 6 Carter Kunopaski LD Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA 4.50 7 Kieran Raynor C Niagara North Stars U16 AAA 4.50 8 Noah Laus LW Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA 4.50 9 Max Delisle C Toronto Titans U16 AAA Rank Name Position Team Star Rating 1 Alexander Milojevic C Chicago Mission 15’s 4.5 2 Rocco Pelosi C Mount St. Charles Academy 15’s 4.5 3 Freddie Schneider C Edina HS Hornets 4.5 4 Nolan Fitzhenry LW Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres 16U 4.5 5 Carter Meyer C Rivers School Wings 4.5 6 Broden McArthur RD Dallas Stars Elite 16U 4.5

2GP 1G 1A in 2 losses vs GFC 1GP 4G 1 A in 1 win vs GFRR

I think he was emphasizing that defense and goaltending is dragging down the talent level

kid is sneaky good. I think the issue (other than his size obviously) is whether or not, to your point, he can zip around guys the way he does now at the next level. He had a good 17s camp last summer, so that says he can play with the best his age group.

So late deciding 07s and 08s can happen any time here. we could see an early deciding 09, but most won't commit until August. 09s will get drafted in the USHL this year. 10's in the WHL in May.

Mikey Berchild and Freddie Schneider too...both look like chippahs to me...

also true

Yep, my definition of a chippah is a kid that has first round painted all over him and you are just waiting to see where he lands in the first round

correct, the university of minnesota is one of the largest universities in the country. I think total undergrad enrollment is typically around 35k-40k, means 9k-10k per class if 100% graduated. If 70% graduate, they are kicking out 6k to 7k per year. More if you add in grad school, but most people's college loyalty is to where they did undergrad, not where they went to finishing school

B/A is a great program and community. It is great for chippahz and it is great for kids that just want to make the next level up next season. The community is supportive while being competitive which is actually a tough tight rope to walk. Your bro in law must be an ex Gopher, but I'll let that slide....Andy and Dave are great humans and are in it for all the right reasons.

i hate the "just kids" comments. Is Mack Celebrini just a kid?

back to my aggressive comment...here's a great example. Liam Pue is an absolute blue chip stud 2010. He is playing up into u18 in BC. So he's 14 turning 15 playing vs 16 and 17 year olds and doing a great job. However, if you are a stud 16/17 in BC, why are you not in the WHL or BCHL? You would be if you were ready/good enough. So, i have seen Pue many times and agree that he is a top 10 player in his birthyear. He's also a great kid. I am a fan and want to see him make it. It makes sense for him to play up out there. The best analogy however would be that he is playing varsity high school hockey in minnesota as a freshman.

thanks buddy, if you read my post i posit that as a question...no doubt there are excellent ex-D coaches. I wonder if it is more to do with era you played in vs position you played?

i agree...that's a couple drinks in, and I caveated it : )

100%...when a player is the hardest worker and has skill that others don't have, you have something special...all three you mentioned had both in spades

Froen Fours keep the fan base alive...we had a 10 year gap between 87 and 97...we aren't making it this year, so we will have another 10 year gap...that is twice in my lifetime

Carle is also very upfront in terms of this is how i see you and your role throughout our time together. He shows the path they will take and then leads them on it.

we didn't win a chip with Parise, Oshie, Toews...I watched every game

I couldn't bite my tongue anymore...here's the deal, if you are playing anything other than tier 1 junior hockey (CHL, USHL, NTDP) at 17, you are not a chipper. If you are playing "up" into junior age eligible hockey, you are probably good, but your stats don't count (this includes the spendy prep schools)...you are a tier 1 junior player prospect racking up points vs kids who might be older but they weren't good enough to move on to junior hockey.

nope, nothing guarantees that

So...I agree with you. However, the fan base loves the elite players making plays even if they fall short of the big trophy. Our issue is we aren't doing either...we aren't winning, and we aren't losing in the Natty's with an exciting team full of future NHLers