Prospective Recruits

[Just Curious]

I don't think we need to bring in any of the 08's for an offensive punch next year when there is already so much potential on the team. I think alot of players on the 2-4th lines got the impression they need to work hard this summer and develop more. I have a good feeling we will see Kozek, Martens, and Miller step it up next year. I think the first line is already solid and with Malone and Hextall coming in, there is a good grind line with some offensive skill in the making. I would much rather see existing team members step up their game then to rely on bringing in more freshmen and dealing with who is going to be benched. The talent is there for #8, I have a good feeling about next year if things don't fall apart in the next few weeks with unexpected departures.

[skateshattrick]

WHo would be out?

We already have a huge logjam at forward without Frattin, Bruneteau, or Gregoire.

Porter was a power forward who can score. Not flashy, but hard working. If we want a Porter-type guy to fill the role, then Malone is the freshman. I'd like to see Kozek on that line. Like him or hate him, he's got good speed, works hard, and has a FILTHY wrister if he can create enough space for it. Interestingly enough, in some ways, Kozek's UND career has mimicked Porter's.

I don't see many similarities between Porter and Kozek. Chris Porter is a big, physical, strong skating forward with very good defensive skills. He did not score as much as some may have expected, but had a tendency to score big goals, particularly in the playoffs. Andrew Kozek was a 2nd round pick who was supposed to be a big time scorer. He is not as big or physical as Chris Porter, and does not have (at least yet) Porter's defensive abilities. Unlike Porter, he was expected to score goals and really has not. He's fast and has a wicked shot, but rarely gets it on net if he gets it off in time. He has a tendency to shoot over the net. He also has had some trouble catching passes and controlling the puck. I am still waiting for Kozek's breakthrough since he clearly has talent, but he has not been nearly as solid as Chris Porter thus far. A player with his speed and shot really should not be a checking line player, particularly since he's not a defensive specialist. Hopefully, it all comes together for him this year.

[siouxnami]

I think next years team really needs to bring in Matt Frattin or Jason Gregoire to add some much needed offense to the second line whoever that may consist of. Also when David Toews does commit, would he play next year in the fall or the year later?

In terms of scoring, really we lost Porter and Toews and we bring in Malone and Trupp. Not a 1 to 1 trade off by any means, but not devastating to a team that was scoring well at the end of the season. In addition, and always neglected by fans is that the rest of the team comes back 1 year better. Also, if we can get something out of Forney this year, we look to be loaded. This may be the best offensive Sioux squad since Parise / Bochenski / Murray.

[LeftyZL]

I don't see many similarities between Porter and Kozek. Chris Porter is a big, physical, strong skating forward with very good defensive skills. He did not score as much as some may have expected, but had a tendency to score big goals, particularly in the playoffs. Andrew Kozek was a 2nd round pick who was supposed to be a big time scorer. He is not as big or physical as Chris Porter, and does not have (at least yet) Porter's defensive abilities. Unlike Porter, he was expected to score goals and really has not. He's fast and has a wicked shot, but rarely gets it on net if he gets it off in time. He has a tendency to shoot over the net. He also has had some trouble catching passes and controlling the puck. I am still waiting for Kozek's breakthrough since he clearly has talent, but he has not been nearly as solid as Chris Porter thus far. A player with his speed and shot really should not be a checking line player, particularly since he's not a defensive specialist. Hopefully, it all comes together for him this year.

In talking about abilities, I think you pretty summed up Porter and Kozek in that last paragraph. Instead of saying they don't have a lot of similarities, I'd say that they do in fact have a lot of similarities. They both play physical and both are pretty close in size(6'1" vs 5'11"). I wouldn't consider either a fast skater, both have a tendency to shoot wildly around the net, and both have had trouble controlling the puck. And I think Porter was counted on to score more goals than he did while here, but he didn't. And we're not going to start talking about the draft pick assumption that "because he was a 2nd pick, blah blah blah." They're both good players. They've both adapted to roles at UND that they probably weren't accustomed to from where they played before UND. They've both played through injuries. If Kozek can play with a play-maker this year who can get him the puck so that he can set up somewhere on the ice just like Duncan, he can be just as dynamite.

[brianvf]

If Kozek can play with a play-maker this year who can get him the puck so that he can set up somewhere on the ice just like Duncan, he can be just as dynamite.

Agreed. He has a great wrister, it's just a matter of getting him on a scoring line with a playmaker. His first two years he was asked to fill a role on a defensive line, so if he's made strides in the offseason I could see Hakstol putting him on one of the 2 top lines and giving him a chance to show his offensive skills as well.

[sprig]

Agreed. He has a great wrister, it's just a matter of getting him on a scoring line with a playmaker. His first two years he was asked to fill a role on a defensive line, so if he's made strides in the offseason I could see Hakstol putting him on one of the 2 top lines and giving him a chance to show his offensive skills as well.

He could also use a few tips from Duncs on how to find the open ice to receive a pass and get off his shot.

[Johnny Ringo]

Kozek has one hell of a wrist shot, the only problem is he can't hit the net, seriousely.

[Fetch]

Man I hope Duncan has a year that he just CRUSHES his previous totals - to prove he is just that good

[roper1313]

In talking about abilities, I think you pretty summed up Porter and Kozek in that last paragraph. Instead of saying they don't have a lot of similarities, I'd say that they do in fact have a lot of similarities. They both play physical and both are pretty close in size(6'1" vs 5'11"). I wouldn't consider either a fast skater, both have a tendency to shoot wildly around the net, and both have had trouble controlling the puck. And I think Porter was counted on to score more goals than he did while here, but he didn't. And we're not going to start talking about the draft pick assumption that "because he was a 2nd pick, blah blah blah." They're both good players. They've both adapted to roles at UND that they probably weren't accustomed to from where they played before UND. They've both played through injuries. If Kozek can play with a play-maker this year who can get him the puck so that he can set up somewhere on the ice just like Duncan, he can be just as dynamite.

LeftyZL-

I agree with most of your points, but I remember Porter being billed as one of the fastest players not only on UND but in the entire WCHA.

[mikejm]

Keep your eyes on VandeVelde this year. Going to be a consistent, pleasant surprise to many. The kid's got talent.

[AZSIOUX]

Keep your eyes on VandeVelde this year. Going to be a consistent, pleasant surprise to many. The kid's got talent.

yeah numbers wise he didnt do anything the first 2/3 of the season but at the tail end he showed his skills, i see him centering oshie and duncs if trupp doesnt as well...........vande will have a very solid year

[tnt]

Bring on Frattin then. I will be more convince on #8 with Frattin or Gregoire on second line next year.

I'm sure if the coaches thought they were ready and could contribute to getting #8, they would bring one of them in. But, I sure wouldn't want to bring them in if they aren't going to add significantly more than players we already have in the fold. I know hockey is different, but could you imagine if the Sioux football team still had Weston Dressler for two more years. He had an impact his first year, but a lot of the year was just feeling out what he could do, and not until his second year did they fully use his talents. Maybe that isn't a good analogy because hockey doesn't focus on setting up plays for certain individuals, but the strength and adjustment to college is the same. Gregoire had a great year in the USHL, but it was injury-shortened and with another full year under his belt he will be ready to come in and make an immediate impact.

[siouxhockey5]

I would love to see Kozek break out, i really do think he has the ability, but in my opinion if he should be working on something, it should be getting his killer shot off, it only takes him a period and a half to let the thing go, it takes him forever to get it off.

Siouxhockey5

[I Ranger]

yeah numbers wise he didnt do anything the first 2/3 of the season but at the tail end he showed his skills, i see him centering oshie and duncs if trupp doesnt as well...........vande will have a very solid year

I don't see VandeVelde playing with Osh and Duncs next year unless he plays wing because I believe everyone is looking at this in the wrong context. I would be willing to bet that Osh centers Duncs and someone else. He has played center pretty much all his life until college where he was put on a line with two pretty naturally gifted two-way players in Zajac and Toews. I would be extremely surprised if Osh doesn't atleast start out the year as the center on the top line.

[skateshattrick]

In talking about abilities, I think you pretty summed up Porter and Kozek in that last paragraph. Instead of saying they don't have a lot of similarities, I'd say that they do in fact have a lot of similarities. They both play physical and both are pretty close in size(6'1" vs 5'11"). I wouldn't consider either a fast skater, both have a tendency to shoot wildly around the net, and both have had trouble controlling the puck. And I think Porter was counted on to score more goals than he did while here, but he didn't. And we're not going to start talking about the draft pick assumption that "because he was a 2nd pick, blah blah blah." They're both good players. They've both adapted to roles at UND that they probably weren't accustomed to from where they played before UND. They've both played through injuries. If Kozek can play with a play-maker this year who can get him the puck so that he can set up somewhere on the ice just like Duncan, he can be just as dynamite.

You are absolutely reaching. First, Porter is 2" taller and outweighs Kozek by 30 lbs. Plus, he plays much bigger. Second, you don't consider either a fast skater?? Do you watch the games?? By all accounts, Porter was the fastest forward on the Sioux. Third, Porter had 25 points (10 goals and 15 assists) his freshman year and dropped off to 15 his sophomore year (12 goals + 3 assists). That is still 40 points compared to 24 points for Kozek in 2 years (Fr 7 +6 =13 Soph. 5 + 6=11). Fourth, Porter scored big goals. Recall a few years ago (Porter's sophomore year) when he lit up BC and BU in the Eastern Regionals. By contrast, in the playoffs this year and last, Kozek was a checking line player. Fifth, Porter was not a big scorer either at Shattuck or Lincoln and that is not why he was brought it. He was brought it because he is a big, strong power forward that skates well, is sound defensively, and can score a few goals. He was not brought in to be a 1st line player. Finally, Kozek is not at all similar to Duncan. Duncan has great hands, controls the puck, and has a quick, accurate shot. It isn't a matter of anyone setting Duncan up--he creates his own space and opportunities.

My purpose is not to talk negatively about Kozek, but the comparison is just not there, either with Porter or Duncan. They are different players.

[redwing77]

Agreed. He has a great wrister, it's just a matter of getting him on a scoring line with a playmaker. His first two years he was asked to fill a role on a defensive line, so if he's made strides in the offseason I could see Hakstol putting him on one of the 2 top lines and giving him a chance to show his offensive skills as well.

This is what I was talking about. Porter's sophomore year saw him placed on the third and sometimes even fourth line. He was used as mainly a checker or supposedly to bring some offense to the checking line (which I haven't seen successfully done yet regardless of who it is). Kozek last season filled a more physical presence and was pretty good defensively. For someone who is 30 lbs lighter and 2 inches shorter than Porter, Kozek could really hit! I still remember him absolutely CRUSHING John Scott his freshman year.

Kozek hasn't been on a line with a playmaker long enough to develop consistency and chemistry. If he earns his way onto a 2nd line with a playmaker (Kozek is NOT a playmaker... I still think his potential screams finisher) he will explode into double digits in both goals and assists.

As for Vandevelde- His freshman year was not a surprise at all to me. IIRC, he didn't start out "on fire" with Lincoln either. However, towards the end of the season in the USHL, VV was the go to guy. And, seriously, some of the passes he made last season in the second half rivaled Toews in terms of sheer beauty.

[skateshattrick]

This is what I was talking about. Porter's sophomore year saw him placed on the third and sometimes even fourth line. He was used as mainly a checker or supposedly to bring some offense to the checking line (which I haven't seen successfully done yet regardless of who it is). Kozek last season filled a more physical presence and was pretty good defensively. For someone who is 30 lbs lighter and 2 inches shorter than Porter, Kozek could really hit! I still remember him absolutely CRUSHING John Scott his freshman year.

Kozek hasn't been on a line with a playmaker long enough to develop consistency and chemistry. If he earns his way onto a 2nd line with a playmaker (Kozek is NOT a playmaker... I still think his potential screams finisher) he will explode into double digits in both goals and assists.

As for Vandevelde- His freshman year was not a surprise at all to me. IIRC, he didn't start out "on fire" with Lincoln either. However, towards the end of the season in the USHL, VV was the go to guy. And, seriously, some of the passes he made last season in the second half rivaled Toews in terms of sheer beauty.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but the difference is that Andrew Kozek was brought in to score goals. He has not, so he needs to either start doing that or adjust to a new role. If that doesn't work, he probably won't play. I'm not giving up on him, but he was brought in to be a top 6 forward because of his scoring ability. The same is true of Michael Forney. The reason Forney did not play at the end of last year according to what the coaches told him is because they expected him to be a top 6 forward, i.e., a scorer. However, since he was not able to do that, he was not going to play barring injury to other players. He is not viewed as a grinder or defensive specialist, and that is not why they recruited him. Porter was brought in as a role player--not necessarily a 3rd or 4th line guy--but as a power forward who can kill penalties, play hard and physical, and score a few goals. He may play 1st or 2nd line, but he is viewd as a hard-nosed guy who will go into the corners for the scorers. THAT is the difference. Chris Porter was a very valuable player all 4 years despite not putting up huge numbers. In other words, he met his expectations. He is like Brad DeFauw or Peter Armbrust with more scoring ability than Peter Armbrust. Andrew Kozek has talent and hopefully will develop into as valuable of a player as Porter did, but he has not met his expectations to this point. He is young, so he may yet develop into a dangerous scorer. Teeder Wynne did that after a few non-productive seasons, so its certainly not too late.

[AZSIOUX]

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but the difference is that Andrew Kozek was brought in to score goals. He has not, so he needs to either start doing that or adjust to a new role. If that doesn't work, he probably won't play. I'm not giving up on him, but he was brought in to be a top 6 forward because of his scoring ability. The same is true of Michael Forney. The reason Forney did not play at the end of last year according to what the coaches told him is because they expected him to be a top 6 forward, i.e., a scorer. However, since he was not able to do that, he was not going to play barring injury to other players. He is not viewed as a grinder or defensive specialist, and that is not why they recruited him. Porter was brought in as a role player--not necessarily a 3rd or 4th line guy--but as a power forward who can kill penalties, play hard and physical, and score a few goals. He may play 1st or 2nd line, but he is viewd as a hard-nosed guy who will go into the corners for the scorers. THAT is the difference. Chris Porter was a very valuable player all 4 years despite not putting up huge numbers. In other words, he met his expectations. He is like Brad DeFauw or Peter Armbrust with more scoring ability than Peter Armbrust. Andrew Kozek has talent and hopefully will develop into as valuable of a player as Porter did, but he has not met his expectations to this point. He is young, so he may yet develop into a dangerous scorer. Teeder Wynne did that after a few non-productive seasons, so its certainly not too late.

i agree on kozek, he was a hell of a finisher in the bchl, hope he steps up and earns a spot on a top 2 line! he should be on a top 2 line but if you are not putting up the numbers then you have to accept a different role like he did which was nice to see. this needs to be is breakout season and if it is look out. im not by any means saying duplicate what he did at surrey when he scored 48 goals but 12 total goals in his first 2 years is WAY down from what i thiought he would do. i like his game the way he hits and plays hard, now its time to put it all together. forney gets a full season before we can see what exactly he has in his game. cant friken wait!

[redwing77]

skates- Alright, I can see your argument, but I don't buy that argument as to why Forney didn't play much. If he was disappointing as a freshman and that's why he didn't play, why did he have shoulder surgery in the offseason? Sorry, I'll reserve disappointment for Forney until after a season in which he is healthy. If he can't remain healthy, than that would be the reason to be disappointed in him.

It's harsh to be hard on anyone who hasn't had a full season at 100% unless the disappointment is directed at health.

I still think Kozek belongs on a scoring line. I think he'd do well on the 2nd line. No, I wouldn't put him with Oshie or Duncan (although that surely would help his scoring), but he's hardly a lost cause. Let him finish his four years.

[dagies]

Kozek has had some chances playing on a scoring line and didn't really capitalize. I like his potential but he has to realize that potential.

Forney was injured much of last season, and that hampered his ability to be that top 2 line guy. Hopefully he'll be healthy and have a summer to prepare and we will get to see what kind of player he really is.

[stickboy1956]

I don't see VandeVelde playing with Osh and Duncs next year unless he plays wing because I believe everyone is looking at this in the wrong context. I would be willing to bet that Osh centers Duncs and someone else. He has played center pretty much all his life until college where he was put on a line with two pretty naturally gifted two-way players in Zajac and Toews. I would be extremely surprised if Osh doesn't atleast start out the year as the center on the top line.

I think the coaches are smart to keep TJ at wing - as hard as he plays, keeping him at wing keeps him out of the corners/down low in the D zone coverage - the center's have that job. It's not that he can't do that job - it's just less wear on tear on a player that has a motor that has one gear - full speed.

[Goon]

Kozek has had some chances playing on a scoring line and didn't really capitalize. I like his potential but he has to realize that potential.

Forney was injured much of last season, and that hampered his ability to be that top 2 line guy. Hopefully he'll be healthy and have a summer to prepare and we will get to see what kind of player he really is.

Lucky he has two season to make an impression.

[redwing77]

I think the coaches are smart to keep TJ at wing - as hard as he plays, keeping him at wing keeps him out of the corners/down low in the D zone coverage - the center's have that job. It's not that he can't do that job - it's just less wear on tear on a player that has a motor that has one gear - full speed.

Not to mention that Vandevelde was winning faceoffs at such a rate only one player could out win Chris: Toews. Oshie can play center and the question is: With Toews gone, does Hak want two very good centers on the first line? Oshie is just as effective on the wing (maybe more son on the wing) as a center. Vandevelde has pretty much played center (there were a few exceptions) in the games he played as a freshman at UND. It makes no sense to move VV to the wing.

The WORST case scenario for Chris is that he centers the second line with Watkins and I'd guess either Trupp or Kozek. However, if Hak wants Oshie as a center, I'd probably guess Trupp or Forney would be on the first line.

[SiouxForever]

Kozek will never be a second line player....................(Bust!)...................Forney Next??:silly:? Time will tell.

[AZSIOUX]

Kozek will never be a second line player....................(Bust!)...................Forney Next??:silly:? Time will tell.

no reason to label forney a potential bust until we can see him healthy for a full year then we will talk.........if kozek doesnt add to his low goal career goal total already with 12 then we can start talking bust. he should double his career total at least next season or he will find himself on the checking line again. and ya know........some players work out better than expected and some dont, its just reality of recruiting when it comes down to it.