Several thoughts came to mind when seeing today's Preseason Watch List.
First, the future of the Big Ten is bright. There's a lot of good, young new talent in the conference and it shows. 8 of the 17 players named are either freshmen or sophomores while 4 more did not play in the Big Ten last season. Of Minnesota's 4, 3 are underclassmen. So are all 3 of Michigan's representatives.
Second, I want to know which coach(es) left Ohio State's Mason Jobst off their ballot. The junior forward was the leading scorer in Big Ten conference games and one of the returning players along with Sheehy and Frederic, the two unanimous choices. You can even make an argument Jobst deserved to win the B1G Player of the Year Award.
And third? While the media doesn't make its own, I figure there are enough returning players left off the coaches' watch list that could deserve a look to where I can fill an entire team of snubs.
So let's give it a shot. Introducting your 2017-18 Preseason All-Big Ten Watch List Snub Team.
F-Andrew Sturtz, Penn State
F-Dakota Joshua, Ohio State
F-Patrick Khodorenko, Michigan State
D-Jake Linhart, Wisconsin
D-Luke Martin, Michigan
G- Eric Schierhorn, Minnesota
Rationale:
Sturtz: Sturtz's omission was both surprising and not at the same time. The top returning goal scorer in the conference had only 9 of his 22 goals happen against Big Ten teams. The junior's output seems to be overshadowed by Penn State's high-powered offense or by teammates like Denis Smirnov. Still, 40 goals in 2 years seems to be something folks should watch.
Joshua: It feels like every time I watch Ohio State, Joshua ends up standing out for at least a period. This year won't allow for the Buckeyes junior to fly under the radar after Nick Schilkey and David Gust graduated and teams focus upon Jobst.
Khodorenko: Maybe there are better forward options for snubbed players than Khodorenko, who finished third as a freshman on the Spartans with 7 goals as one of college hockey's youngest players. Leon Bristedt has had a 20 goal season for Minnesota. Ryan Wagner always seems on the verge of breaking out for Wisconsin. Penn State's Nate Sucese got better as his freshman year continued. However, Michigan State as a whole got snubbed on the list so it'd be a shame for Khodorenko - someone I can see taking a big step this year -or any Spartan to get snubbed here too.
Linhart: There are several options of snubs with only three defensemen - and just one that spent last season in the Big Ten - named to the watch list. Linhart, the leading returning blue line goal scorer, tops this list.
Martin: I don't envy anyone who had to play on Michigan's defense last season and get heavily out-shot night in, night out. By the end of the year it seemed like Martin, who came in to the Wolverines as a possible 2017 first round pick (he ended up dropping to the 2nd round), improved from game to game. Just a sophomore, Martin has faced enough defense in one season to be considered a veteran.
Schierhorn: The two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year is the only 2016-17 First Team member to not be named. Instead, Hayton (one of the country's top goaltenders at St. Lawrence the past three seasons before transferring to Wisconsin) takes the lone goalie spot. That's certainly all-snub worthy.
Related Articles:
-Tyler Sheehy 1 of 2 unanimous picks on Big Ten preseason watch list
-Minnesota women picked to win WCHA
-Big Ten Midseason Awards & Storylines to Follow
-Tyler Sheehy named Hobey Baker top-10 finalist
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