I think generally the local USA guys make it to five games, maybe more. Bob and I in the past have picked them out of the crowd quite a few times. But the dynamic isn't as strong as it is in football. There are some elements that are helping -- twitter among them -- but I've asked guys recently and they don't often know everyone in their class before they show up on campus. I think that'll improve but because hockey games are a few times per week, and everyone has a different schedule, i don't think it's that easy for them to communicate as often as the football guys do.
2. Depends who you ask, but for Michigan nowadays, they generally hit on 70-80% of the kids they offer. They're a bit like OSU in football back in the day where they wouldn't really offer a kid unless they knew he was going to commit. There exceptions, such as Trouba and Tkachuk most recently, but the amount of kids that U-M offers in a class that actually takes his time and has options is generally 2-4 per year.
3. No word on Tkachuk yet but Michigan does have a chance. The family lives in St. Louis and because they live in the Midwest, they're not automatic Hockey East guys. I think the odds are long, but I think U-M has a 30-40% chance.
4. I'll inquire about those kids for you.
12/26 5:25 PM | IP: Logged
70-80% is impressive. Domi, Nurse, Marcantuoni, Lessio, Campbell, Gibson, Carrick, Knight--seems like most of the kids that they miss out on go to the OHL and not college.
Glad to hear on Tkachuk. Tkachuk is a December birthday. Not sure how that works if he makes the USNTDP as he is only a freshman. I know Kyle Connor will end up playing for Youngstown for three years, but the kids only spend two years in Ann Arbor
Any of Werenski, Day, Chychrun and Trouba would be great. Premium defenseman in the mold of Trouba, Merrill, and Downing. BTW, Connor Carrick sure would look good in the Maize and Blue this year. He is manning the PP for Plymouth and is their leading scoring D. Not sure if he thought that he would not see time with 7 other D, but with Merrill and other injuries he could have been really helpful this season
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