2017 marked three straight NHL Drafts where two players with Big Ten ties were chosen in the first round. It's the first, however, with two different teams represented.
Minnesota's Casey Mittelstadt and Michigan's Josh Norris went Friday, leading a total of 17 Big Ten players from six different schools. Minnesota, Penn State and Wisconsin each had four drafted.
Mittelstadt's selection by Buffalo with the eighth overall pick tied Zach Werenski as the highest drafted Big Ten player since the conference began sponsoring men's hockey in 2013. Norris went 19th overall to San Jose, one of four teams to pick two Big Ten players.
Showing posts with label 2017 NHL Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017 NHL Draft. Show all posts
Saturday, June 24, 2017
2017 NHL Draft: 3 players with Gopher ties chosen during Day 2
Three more players with Gopher ties were selected on Day 2 of the 2017 NHL Draft.
Minnesota incoming freshman forward Scott Reedy, along with verbal commits Clayton Phillips and Sammy Walker, heard their names called Saturday, a day after incoming freshman Casey Mittelstadt became the eighth University of Minnesota player to be chosen in the top-10.
With four picks Minnesota is tied for the most selections among both fellow Big Ten and Minnesota schools. The total doubles 2016's draft picks (Ryan Lindgren and Rem Pitlick).
Minnesota incoming freshman forward Scott Reedy, along with verbal commits Clayton Phillips and Sammy Walker, heard their names called Saturday, a day after incoming freshman Casey Mittelstadt became the eighth University of Minnesota player to be chosen in the top-10.
With four picks Minnesota is tied for the most selections among both fellow Big Ten and Minnesota schools. The total doubles 2016's draft picks (Ryan Lindgren and Rem Pitlick).
Friday, June 23, 2017
2017 NHL Draft: Casey Mittelstadt taken 8th overall by Buffalo Sabres
University of Minnesota incoming freshman forward Casey Mittelstadt didn't have to wait long to hear his name called Friday night.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Mittelstadt in the first round with the eighth overall selection.
He's the first Gopher since Christian Isackson in 2010 to be chosen by the Sabres, who feature a new GM in former Michigan forward Jason Botterill and new head coach Phil Housley. Buffalo historically has been not afraid to spend high picks on Minnesota players, drafting Mike Ramsey (1979), Erik Rasmussen (1996), Keith Ballard (2002) and Thomas Vanek (2003) in the first round.
Mittelstadt, the 2017 Minnesota Mr. Hockey and a native of Eden Prairie, MN, was the first American and 2nd player with collegiate ties taken in the 2017 NHL Draft. Defenseman Cale Makar (UMass) went fourth overall to Colorado.
The 6'0", 194 lbs Mittelstadt became the first Minnesota-born player to be drafted in the top-10 since 2006 when Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller were all taken in the first eight picks. He's the eighth Gopher to go in the top-10 of the NHL Draft.
With Mittelstadt's selection, Minnesota snapped a five year drought - the longest in over 20 years - without a first round pick.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Mittelstadt in the first round with the eighth overall selection.
He's the first Gopher since Christian Isackson in 2010 to be chosen by the Sabres, who feature a new GM in former Michigan forward Jason Botterill and new head coach Phil Housley. Buffalo historically has been not afraid to spend high picks on Minnesota players, drafting Mike Ramsey (1979), Erik Rasmussen (1996), Keith Ballard (2002) and Thomas Vanek (2003) in the first round.
Mittelstadt, the 2017 Minnesota Mr. Hockey and a native of Eden Prairie, MN, was the first American and 2nd player with collegiate ties taken in the 2017 NHL Draft. Defenseman Cale Makar (UMass) went fourth overall to Colorado.
The 6'0", 194 lbs Mittelstadt became the first Minnesota-born player to be drafted in the top-10 since 2006 when Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller were all taken in the first eight picks. He's the eighth Gopher to go in the top-10 of the NHL Draft.
With Mittelstadt's selection, Minnesota snapped a five year drought - the longest in over 20 years - without a first round pick.
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, April 27, 2017
2017 NHL Draft: Casey Mittelstadt stays at 5th overall in Bob McKenzie's Top 15
Incoming Minnesota freshman center Casey Mittelstadt remains fifth overall in TSN and NHL Insider Bob McKenzie's 2017 NHL Draft rankings released Thursday.
Mittelstadt, the 2017 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award recipient, split his draft-eligible season between Eden Prairie and Green Bay (USHL). His year ended earlier this month with the Gamblers not making the USHL postseason and too old for the U-18 WJC.
He is the highest player with ties to college hockey and one of just two in the top 15, which is cut short for the Draft Lottery contested Saturday. Future Massachusetts defender Cale Makar is the other, moving up from 12th in January's rankings to 7th.
Brandon (WHL) forward Nolan Patrick and Swiss center Nico Hischier, who plays with QMJHL Halifax, are a consensus #1 and #2 although potentially not in that order.
McKenzie's ranking system ends up being one of the most accurate because he does not do a mock draft, of which hundreds will be coming out in the time between now and the June 23-24 draft date.
Instead he bases the spots off of discussions with NHL scouts on ten different teams. Doing so helps paint a picture of where players are on various teams' draft boards.
Fellow Minnesota commit Scott Reedy was 50th in McKenzie's January rankings.
Mittelstadt, the 2017 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award recipient, split his draft-eligible season between Eden Prairie and Green Bay (USHL). His year ended earlier this month with the Gamblers not making the USHL postseason and too old for the U-18 WJC.
Brandon (WHL) forward Nolan Patrick and Swiss center Nico Hischier, who plays with QMJHL Halifax, are a consensus #1 and #2 although potentially not in that order.
McKenzie's ranking system ends up being one of the most accurate because he does not do a mock draft, of which hundreds will be coming out in the time between now and the June 23-24 draft date.
Instead he bases the spots off of discussions with NHL scouts on ten different teams. Doing so helps paint a picture of where players are on various teams' draft boards.
Fellow Minnesota commit Scott Reedy was 50th in McKenzie's January rankings.
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.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
BLOG: Gopher commit notes on Casey Mittelstadt, Mat Robson and Grace Zumwinkle
March is here and so are a number of awards for Minnesota commits.
Penticton (BCHL) goaltender and Minnesota commit Mat Robson was named the BCHL Player of the Week after stopping 79 of 81 shots over 3 games. Throughout February the 20 year-old Toronto native - he would the first Canadian to play for Minnesota since 2006 - went undefeated in 10 games, had a .962 save percentage and three shutouts (he has a league-best six on the season). His .930 save percentage and 1.94 GAA in 49 games this season is second in the league.
For more on Robson I wrote a feature for the St. Paul Pioneer Press on the goaltender back in December.
Penticton (BCHL) goaltender and Minnesota commit Mat Robson was named the BCHL Player of the Week after stopping 79 of 81 shots over 3 games. Throughout February the 20 year-old Toronto native - he would the first Canadian to play for Minnesota since 2006 - went undefeated in 10 games, had a .962 save percentage and three shutouts (he has a league-best six on the season). His .930 save percentage and 1.94 GAA in 49 games this season is second in the league.
For more on Robson I wrote a feature for the St. Paul Pioneer Press on the goaltender back in December.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Puck Dynasty Podcast: How Many Big Ten Teams Will Make The NCAA Tournament (Episode 13)
Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.
This week the crew break the show into three periods. First, Twitter questions are answered ranging from Casey Mittelstadt and the 2017 NHL Draft to rules to Minnesota North Star alums to how many Big Ten teams will make the NCAA Tournament. Then the show transitions into recapping Minnesota’s sweep over Penn State. Somewhere in that stretch dog-related analogies get used. Finally, the Gophers’ upcoming series against Ohio State is previewed.
This week the crew break the show into three periods. First, Twitter questions are answered ranging from Casey Mittelstadt and the 2017 NHL Draft to rules to Minnesota North Star alums to how many Big Ten teams will make the NCAA Tournament. Then the show transitions into recapping Minnesota’s sweep over Penn State. Somewhere in that stretch dog-related analogies get used. Finally, the Gophers’ upcoming series against Ohio State is previewed.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
2017 NHL Draft: Gopher commits Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy in Bob McKenzie's Top 50
Few NHL draft rankings are as accurate as TSN analyst Bob McKenzie's rankings. Mostly, it has to do with the methodology.
See, McKenzie's rankings are not just his. They are based off discussions with a number of NHL scouts and paint a picture of where players are on various teams' draft boards.
In an unpredictable draft year like this one, it's no easy task.
Two Gopher commits - Casey Mittelstadt and Scott Reedy - are among the 80 players in Tuesday's mid-season rankings
See, McKenzie's rankings are not just his. They are based off discussions with a number of NHL scouts and paint a picture of where players are on various teams' draft boards.
In an unpredictable draft year like this one, it's no easy task.
Two Gopher commits - Casey Mittelstadt and Scott Reedy - are among the 80 players in Tuesday's mid-season rankings
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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