MNState0fHockey

I'm sorry, but that's just not true.

Big difference for me is that North Dakota and Minnesota have been a lot more consistent than Michigan. They won a lot of their NCAA championships in the 40's and 50's, then kinda fell off the map for the most part for decades. North Dakota and Minnesota both have had only a few short down periods in that time. Also, I know this topic has been beaten to death for years, and I don't want to stir this debate up, but Ithink if you are going to look at the best programs of all-time, you have to at least give some weight to the hockey played prior to the NCAA era. And I'm not neccesarily saying this will mean as much to fans of other programs as it means to Gopher fans, but being the first program to win a championship with only US players and the only program to do it with in-state players (they did that twice) is kinda special. If it were up to me, North Dakota would be my #1 (slight edge) and Minnesota my #2.

Independent? It was compiled by a Badger fan. Hardly "independent".

I'm the exact same way.

I'm not a big fan of USA Hockey or the NTDP, so I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. I won't get into that and clutter up your recruiting thread. You would think they would, but I think they are more interested in getting kids drafted as high as possible because they are paid by the NHL to do that. I know what you're going to say, the NCAA is every bit as good as the CHL in developing players and preparing them to play in the NHL as the CHL. However, I don't think USA Hockey cares as much as we think they do/should about the NCAA. As long as kids get drafted as high as possible, they are content.

Even though you guys are arguably our biggest rival, it still upsets me to see players opt out of their commitments and play in the CHL. Gone are the days where players honored their commitments and in it's place seems to be an overwhelming sense of entitlement in some cases. I genuinely feel for you guys.

Never said it didn't apply to Johnson. I think he has loads of talent, and is playing really well. Will be a great college player. I agree with you on Fasching and Voltin too. Guertler's play this year worries me a little, but as you said, he is young. Haven't seen LaDue play too much, so can't comment on him.

Again, no argument. However, considering the fact that Cammarata is averaging over a point per game and is tied for 9th in the USHL in scoring as a 16 year-old is incredibly impressive. I think he is the closest to being a sure thing of the bunch. He has shown he can score, regardless of the league or level. I think Fasching and Guertler will do well at the college level as well, but they are both off to slower starts in USHL play so it remains to be seen. I think AJ Michaelson was over-hyped and is really struggling to put the puck in the net.

No argument there. All on paper at this point.

Fasching Guertler, and Cammarata are widely considered the top 3 recruits in the 1995 birth year. In fact, Cammarata and Guertler went 1-2 in the USHL Futures Draft, and if Fasching hadn't gone to the USNTDP, he would have very likely gone in the Top 3 as well. I'm sorry, but those three headline a 2013 draft class for the Gophers that is probably only rivaled by Michigan at this point.

For those not familiar with them Minnetonka just got pounded by Duluth East in the Schwans Cup, but they face them again on Hockey Day Minnesota (outside on Lake Minnetonka). Going to be an outstanding game for anyone interested.

Connor Thie (junior) Max Coatta (junior) Erik Baskin (senior) Sam Rothstein (senior)

For those interested in the top MNHSL players, by class, and their commitments (including those uncommitted), Chris Dilks has a pretty decent ranking on his Western College Hockey Blog (link below). http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/2011/12/1/2603197/top-minnesota-high-school-hockey-players-by-class-december-2011

Agree. However, Connor Reilly has a point more than Mario Lucia, and there isn't much debate on how good of a prospect he is. Ryan Reilly won't see a lot of ice time at Minnesota, but Connor and Mike are pretty talented players IMO.