After freshman defenseman Nate Knoepke went to the USHL earlier today, Minnesota brings in its top defensive recruit a semester early from the USHL.
Clayton Phillips, an Edina native who plays for Muskegon, will enroll for the second semester and be eligible to play in Minnesota's next series against Army. He will wear number 6, which was last worn by Ryan Collins.
The 93rd overall selection in the 2017 NHL Draft by Pittsburgh (whose scout for the area at the time is now Gopher assistant Scott Bell) previously signed a Letter of Intent last month. Despite being drafted, Phillips was one of the youngest players eligible to be drafted and needed to accelerate to graduate high school.
Showing posts with label Nate Knoepke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nate Knoepke. Show all posts
Monday, December 18, 2017
Nate Knoepke departs Minnesota for Sioux City (USHL)
Minnesota freshman defenseman Nate Knoepke has left the Gopher program to play for the USHL Sioux City Musketeers.
Knoepke, who appeared in 2 games for Minnesota during the first half of the season, is expected to join the Musketeers after the holiday break, per team release. No team held the 18 year-old's rights as he was not selected by any team in May's Phase 2 Draft.
Seen as Minnesota's highest-profile freshman defenseman for the 2017-18 season, Knoepke had been unable to crack the Gopher lineup his first semester. The team has utilized 7 defensemen at times this season, but it has been fellow freshman Sam Rossini who has gotten more opportunities.
Knoepke, who appeared in 2 games for Minnesota during the first half of the season, is expected to join the Musketeers after the holiday break, per team release. No team held the 18 year-old's rights as he was not selected by any team in May's Phase 2 Draft.
Seen as Minnesota's highest-profile freshman defenseman for the 2017-18 season, Knoepke had been unable to crack the Gopher lineup his first semester. The team has utilized 7 defensemen at times this season, but it has been fellow freshman Sam Rossini who has gotten more opportunities.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Pregame Blog: Minnesota-Clarkson Saturday Line Combinations, TV Schedule + More
#9 Clarkson (4-2-1, 0-0-0 ECAC) at #7 Minnesota (4-3-0, 1-1-0-0 Big Ten)
Date: October 28, 2017Time: 7:00 pm CT
Place: 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN
TV: Fox Sports North Plus (AVAILABLE in Twin Cities)
Stream: BTN2Go/Fox Sports Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM (Wally Shaver and Frank Mazzocco)
Nate is covering for tonight: Zone Coverage
Friday night's recap: Gopher Hockey Freshmen Return; Lead Minnesota Over #9 Clarkson
One aspect of Friday's win that I didn't explore much in my game recap was Minnesota's discipline.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Nate Knoepke, 4 Gopher commits make NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list
NHL Central Scouting released its first look at players eligible for next June's NHL Draft. Five players with University of Minnesota ties made the cut.
All five are among 18 Minnesota natives to be named to the full list, which can be seen here.
Gopher freshman defenseman Nate Knoepke, in his second year of draft eligibility, was given a "C" grade by Central Scouting. Two Minnesota forward commits - Blake McLaughlin and Jaxon Nelson - were given "B" grades. Two others - Jack Jensen and Colin Schmidt - received "C" grades.
An "A" player is seen by NHL Central as a potential first round pick. "B" players would go in the second or third round while "C" players go later.
NHL Central Scouting exists as a hypothetical 32nd team and how that team would have its board if the 2018 NHL Draft was held today. Other teams likely have different players ranked higher or lower.
Additionally, things can and will change by the time June comes around, something Knoepke would know all too well. The Farmington, MN native went undrafted in his first year of eligibility despite being 79th among North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings this past April. Sammy Walker, meanwhile, fell off the rankings yet was drafted by an NHL team. Other players, such as Rem Pitlick (not named to the watch list and eventually drafted in the third round) end up working their way on to future lists.
No Minnesotans were named "A" players. Of the players with "A" rankings, five have college ties, including current Michigan freshman defenseman Quinn Hughes and Boston University freshman forward Brady Tkachuk.
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In case you missed it, I have a new professional Facebook page for my college hockey writing. Please like and follow at www.facebook.com/natewellswriteshockey/
You can also follow Nate on Twitter @gopherstate
All five are among 18 Minnesota natives to be named to the full list, which can be seen here.
Gopher freshman defenseman Nate Knoepke, in his second year of draft eligibility, was given a "C" grade by Central Scouting. Two Minnesota forward commits - Blake McLaughlin and Jaxon Nelson - were given "B" grades. Two others - Jack Jensen and Colin Schmidt - received "C" grades.
An "A" player is seen by NHL Central as a potential first round pick. "B" players would go in the second or third round while "C" players go later.
NHL Central Scouting exists as a hypothetical 32nd team and how that team would have its board if the 2018 NHL Draft was held today. Other teams likely have different players ranked higher or lower.
Additionally, things can and will change by the time June comes around, something Knoepke would know all too well. The Farmington, MN native went undrafted in his first year of eligibility despite being 79th among North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings this past April. Sammy Walker, meanwhile, fell off the rankings yet was drafted by an NHL team. Other players, such as Rem Pitlick (not named to the watch list and eventually drafted in the third round) end up working their way on to future lists.
No Minnesotans were named "A" players. Of the players with "A" rankings, five have college ties, including current Michigan freshman defenseman Quinn Hughes and Boston University freshman forward Brady Tkachuk.
--
In case you missed it, I have a new professional Facebook page for my college hockey writing. Please like and follow at www.facebook.com/natewellswriteshockey/
You can also follow Nate on Twitter @gopherstate
Monday, September 11, 2017
BLOG: A Look At 2017-18 New Men's Players Numbers & More
Three weeks from Friday the Minnesota men will be kicking off 2017-18 against Minnesota Duluth.
So long summer. Hello hockey.
The previews and features will be ramping up, both here and with other outlets, the closer it gets to the Ice Breaker. To kick things off, however, I wanted to start with something simple before diving into the deep end. Introduce the new Gopher players. Point out their names, their numbers, their size and maybe find out which junior teams were off in their measurements.
I say new players, not freshmen, because goaltender Mat Robson is officially a sophomore (and sitting out half a year). Connor Hurley, who enrolled this fall at Minnesota to begin classes, is a senior. The size and numbers are below for all except Hurley, who is not included due to sitting out the year as a transfer.
So long summer. Hello hockey.
The previews and features will be ramping up, both here and with other outlets, the closer it gets to the Ice Breaker. To kick things off, however, I wanted to start with something simple before diving into the deep end. Introduce the new Gopher players. Point out their names, their numbers, their size and maybe find out which junior teams were off in their measurements.
I say new players, not freshmen, because goaltender Mat Robson is officially a sophomore (and sitting out half a year). Connor Hurley, who enrolled this fall at Minnesota to begin classes, is a senior. The size and numbers are below for all except Hurley, who is not included due to sitting out the year as a transfer.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
2018 WJC: Nate Knoepke, Ryan Lindgren and Casey Mittelstadt participating in US World Junior Summer Showcase
Minnesota incoming freshmen Casey Mittelstadt and Nate Knoepke will try to match sophomore defenseman Ryan Lindgren's accomplishment: Making an American U-20 World Juniors team.
All three will take their first step next month. The Gopher trio join 39 other players named Tuesday to the United States' 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase. Among the under-20 group are 25 forwards, 13 defensemen and 4 goalies.
The event, formerly known as the National Junior Evaluation Camp, takes July 29-August 5th in Plymouth, Michigan and brings in three other top countries in Canada (2017 silver medalist), Finland (2016 gold medalist) and Sweden (fourth place each of the past three tournaments). Each of the countries will scrimmage against one another. Besides getting experience, coaches have an opportunity to decide who to take for December camps and eventually the 2018 WJC.
In the case of Team USA, players initially will be split into two teams before cuts are made in camp.
All three will take their first step next month. The Gopher trio join 39 other players named Tuesday to the United States' 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase. Among the under-20 group are 25 forwards, 13 defensemen and 4 goalies.
The event, formerly known as the National Junior Evaluation Camp, takes July 29-August 5th in Plymouth, Michigan and brings in three other top countries in Canada (2017 silver medalist), Finland (2016 gold medalist) and Sweden (fourth place each of the past three tournaments). Each of the countries will scrimmage against one another. Besides getting experience, coaches have an opportunity to decide who to take for December camps and eventually the 2018 WJC.
In the case of Team USA, players initially will be split into two teams before cuts are made in camp.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
BLOG: 4 Minnesota commits at NHL Scouting Combine
Less than a month before the 2017 NHL Draft, four future Minnesota players - forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Scott Reedy along with defensemen Nate Knoepke and Clayton Phillips
- are in Buffalo, NY to take part in this week's Scouting Combine.
All except Phillips signed Letters of Intent to play at Minnesota. He is expected to be on campus in 2018, a year later than the others.
The scouting combine, which began Monday and goes until Saturday (June 3, 2017), can be an opportunity for draft-eligible players to interview with all 31 NHL teams and undergo medical and physical testing.
- are in Buffalo, NY to take part in this week's Scouting Combine.
All except Phillips signed Letters of Intent to play at Minnesota. He is expected to be on campus in 2018, a year later than the others.
The scouting combine, which began Monday and goes until Saturday (June 3, 2017), can be an opportunity for draft-eligible players to interview with all 31 NHL teams and undergo medical and physical testing.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
BLOG: Chicago wins USHL Clark Cup, Penticton falls in RBC Cup to cap 2016-17 commit season
The last of Minnesota's commits had his season end Tuesday.Thanks to the one who gives me the opportunity to do what I love. Couldn't have done this without you and dad❤️ CLARK CUP CHAMPS. pic.twitter.com/HQ6PWiCEIg— Brannon McManus (@Bmcmanus7) May 24, 2017
(There remain a few in the pros. Phil Kessel and Pittsburgh play Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. Former Gopher defensemen Michael Brodzinski and Ben Marshall's AHL teams are in their league semis although both players only appeared in a handful of playoff games.)
Brannon McManus became Tuesday the first person committed to Minnesota to hoist the USHL Clark Cup since Nico Sacchetti in 2008 when Chicago defeated Sioux City 2-1 in overtime of winner-take-all Game 5.
A few days earlier Penticton, with Gopher commits Mat Robson (goalie) and Sam Rossini (defense), ended its season two wins short of taking home the RBC Cup, the highest prize in Canadian Junior A. The BCHL league champions lost 3-1 Saturday to eventual RBC Cup winner Cobourg.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
BLOG: Gopher commits in playoffs + U-18 WJC Schedule
Yes, the college hockey season is over. Several Minnesota commits play on, however.
Scott Reedy and Nate Knoepke earlier today kicked off the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championships in Poprad and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia with a 7-0 win over Belarus. Knoepke (Farmington, MN) finished Thursday with two assists. His first helped up set Reedy's (Prior Lake, MN) goal (happens at about the :25 mark in the above tweet).Watch the highlights from the U.S. Men's National U18 Team's win over Belarus today at #U18Worlds.— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 13, 2017
More coverage: https://t.co/MZCPbh2Pj0 pic.twitter.com/TmFCWBYhyk
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
2017 NHL Draft: Casey Mittelstadt 3rd in Central Scouting Final Rankings
Casey Mittelstadt keeps moving up Central Scouting's 2017 NHL Draft board.
Mittelstadt is the third-highest North American skater in the final rankings released Tuesday by NHL Central Scouting. He moves up two spots from the mid-term rankings released in January. Mittelstadt earlier began the year with an "A" rating as a player expected to go in the first round.
Sitting behind two CHL forwards (Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier) who are the popular picks to go #1 overall, the Eden Prairie, MN native is both the highest ranked American and player with college ties.
Mittelstadt is the third-highest North American skater in the final rankings released Tuesday by NHL Central Scouting. He moves up two spots from the mid-term rankings released in January. Mittelstadt earlier began the year with an "A" rating as a player expected to go in the first round.
Sitting behind two CHL forwards (Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier) who are the popular picks to go #1 overall, the Eden Prairie, MN native is both the highest ranked American and player with college ties.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
BLOG: Gopher commits Nate Knoepke and Scott Reedy to play in 2017 U-18 WJC
A pair of Minnesota commits will represent Team USA in the 2017 IIHF U-18 World Championships later this month.
Defenseman Nate Knoepke (Farmington, MN) and forward Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, MN) were among the 22 players named to the American roster. The tournament, which doubles as showcase for draft eligible players, runs from April 13-23 in Poprad and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia.
Knoepke and Reedy have each spent the past two seasons in the United States National Team Development Program, which annually makes up the vast majority of the roster. St. Cloud State freshman Ryan Poehling, a Lakeville native who accelerated his schooling to play college hockey, is the only player not from the USNTDP.
Both Knoepke and Reedy signed Letters of Intent during the early signing period to play at Minnesota next season.
Ryan Lindgren and 2017 incoming Gopher freshman Casey Mittelstadt represented Team USA in the 2016 U-18 World Championships. Lindgren captained the Americans to a third place finish.
Defenseman Nate Knoepke (Farmington, MN) and forward Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, MN) were among the 22 players named to the American roster. The tournament, which doubles as showcase for draft eligible players, runs from April 13-23 in Poprad and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia.
Knoepke and Reedy have each spent the past two seasons in the United States National Team Development Program, which annually makes up the vast majority of the roster. St. Cloud State freshman Ryan Poehling, a Lakeville native who accelerated his schooling to play college hockey, is the only player not from the USNTDP.
Both Knoepke and Reedy signed Letters of Intent during the early signing period to play at Minnesota next season.
Ryan Lindgren and 2017 incoming Gopher freshman Casey Mittelstadt represented Team USA in the 2016 U-18 World Championships. Lindgren captained the Americans to a third place finish.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
What's Next? A Look At The 2017-18 Minnesota Men's Hockey Roster (Part 1)
The movie never ends. The soap opera is told and unfolds. But the beat goes on, and so do we.Casey Mittelstadt makes it looks effortless #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/qdXeQ5dmLf— USHL (@USHL) March 26, 2017
Tickets remain to be punched (or, since it's 2017, they are more likely to be scanned off of a smartphone) for this year's Frozen Four. With Minnesota's season over following yesterday's 3-2 upset loss to Notre Dame, attention turns away from the Northeast Regional and Chicago.
Instead, let's take a look to the 2017-18 season, which begins (and could end) in the Twin Cities. Minnesota sees plenty of turnover. A large senior class departs for the pros and real life. In their place, head coach Don Lucia brings in his best recruiting class on paper since 2010-11.
Monday, March 20, 2017
BLOG: Casey Mittelstadt named USHL Forward of the Week
Returning to the USHL with some unfinished business that will stay that way, it didn't take long for Eden Prairie senior and Minnesota commit Casey Mittelstadt to make an impact in his first weekend back with Green Bay Gamblers.
Mittelstadt was on Monday named the USHL Forward of the Week. The 2016 Minnesota Mr. Hockey scored a pair of goals Friday, finishing with three points. He added three more assists in wins against Cedar Rapids and Madison.
Mittelstadt was on Monday named the USHL Forward of the Week. The 2016 Minnesota Mr. Hockey scored a pair of goals Friday, finishing with three points. He added three more assists in wins against Cedar Rapids and Madison.
Yes he is... #GoGamblers. @CMittelstadt with 3 points tonight (2g, 1a) in the @USHL tonight pic.twitter.com/slL2EjBkIC— Green Bay Gamblers (@GamblersHockey) March 18, 2017
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Blog: Gopher commit Casey Mittelstadt ranked fifth in NHL Central Scouting
Led by Eden Prairie native Casey Mittelstadt, five University of Minnesota commits were named to NHL Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.
Ranked fifth among North American skaters, Mittelstadt is the top player with college hockey ties. The 6’0”, 201 lbs forward was leading the USHL in scoring as a 17 year-old (he has since turned 18) when he left Green Bay to come back to Eden Prairie and try to win a Class AA championship. He will return to Green Bay after Eden Prairie's season ends.
Ranked fifth among North American skaters, Mittelstadt is the top player with college hockey ties. The 6’0”, 201 lbs forward was leading the USHL in scoring as a 17 year-old (he has since turned 18) when he left Green Bay to come back to Eden Prairie and try to win a Class AA championship. He will return to Green Bay after Eden Prairie's season ends.
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