I've tried to be as thorough as possible in creating this list, but given the difficult nature of maintaining a list like this, there are always going to be players missing that should be on this list. If you think I have missed a player that should be on here, or would like me to add/change comments about a player, please feel free to email me at westerncollegehockey@gmail.com
Committed Forwards
Danny Mattson-Academy of Holy Angels-Committed to North Dakota-Very fast and good one-on-one. One of the top players in MN HS hockey.
Zach Budish-Edina(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota-Big forward. Good along the boards. Father played football for Minnesota. One of the best 1991 birthdates in the country.
Kyle Palmieri-NTDP U18-Committed to Notre Dame-Small, slick playmaker.
Drew Shore-US NTDP U17-Committed to Denver-Talented scorer. Originally from Denver-area.
Chris Brown-NTDP U18-Big, power forward. Very physical. Excellent skater. From Dallas, but moved to Detroit to play hockey.
Dan Kristo-USA NTDP U18-Committed to North Dakota- Great skater. Led Eden Prairie HS in scoring as a freshmen. Leading scorer at 2006 Select 16 Festival.
Ben Hanowski-Little Falls High School(MN HS)- Committed to St. Cloud-Big forward that is good at controlling the puck. Excellent hands and finishing ability.
Tyler Pitlick-Centennial HS(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota State-Nephew of NHLer Lance Pitlick. One of the top '91 birthdates in Minnesota.
John O'Neill-Anoka(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota-Duluth-Led Anoka in scoring as a sophomore. Played for 2006 USA U17 White team in Rochester, NY.
Nate Condon-Fargo Force(USHL)-Committed to Minnesota-Good skater and smart hockey player. One of the top scorers in 2007 Elite League.
Mike Fink-Hopkins(MN)HS-Committed to North Dakota-One of the top young players in Minnesota. Will either play for NTDP or Waterloo(USHL) next season.
Riley Sheahan-St. Catharines(Ont.)-Committed to Notre Dame-Slick, skilled center. Would have been a first round OHL pick if not for college interest.
Derek Lee-Salmon Arm(BCHL)-Committed to Wisconsin-Smaller player. Top recruit from British Columbia.
Cody Murphy-Cedar Rapids(USHL)-Committed to Miami-Very fast with good finishing ability and a nice shot.
Kevin Lynch-NTDP U17-Committed to Michigan-Turned down Plymouth of the OHL to play for NTDP. Dependable two-way player. Could end up in OHL.
Jordan Samuels-Thomas-Waterloo(USHL)-Committed to Bowling Green-
Mike Merrifield-St. Louis(NAHL)-Top rookie in NAHL in 2007-2008
Zach Golembiewski-Indiana Ice-Committed to Michigan State-
Nick Oliver-Fargo Force(USHL)-Committed to St. Cloud State-Big forward for his age. Excellent hands. Good goal scorer. Has a lot of potential. Recorded 4 assists at 2006 Select 15 Festival.
A.J. Treais-NTDP U17-Committed to Michigan-Top scorer on top bantam team in the MWEHL. A little small by very fast and an excellent stickhandler.
Adam Mueller-Roseville(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota State-Leading scorer at 2006 Select 17 Festival.
Joe Frazer-Brainerd HS(MN HS)-Committed to Nebraska-Omaha-Smaller forward. Incredibly hard worker. Very tenacious. Should be an impact player at the college level. Top line forward for BHS as a sophomore.
Brad Smith-Belle Tire AAA-Committed to Ohio State-Leading scorer on Belle Tire team. Played well at Select 14 Festival and Select 15 Festival.Article.
Bryce Ravndalen-Warroad HS(MN HS)-Committed to St. Cloud-Small forward. Excellent playmaker.
Chris Stafne-Duluth Denfeld(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota-Duluth-Very fast and a good stickhandler.
David Eddy-Woodbury(MN HS)-Committed to St. Cloud-
Eli Zuck-Shattuck-St. Mary's-Committed to Minnesota State-Small, playmaking forward.
Josh Birkholz-Blake(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota-Played for 2007 U-17 Five Nations team.
Marc Rodriguez-Sioux Falls(USHL)-Committed to Bowling Green-Small, talented goal scorer.
Max Cook-Green Bay(USHL)-Committed to Miami-Ohio- Great playmaker. Very good with the puck.
Eric Alexander-Chicago(USHL)-Committed to Ferris State-Good size and very athletic.
Nick Oddo-Cedar Rapids(USHL)-Committed to Nebraska-Omaha-Omaha-native.
Gustav Bengston-NW Regulators AAA-Committed to Alaska-Anchorage-Small player with excellent scoring ability. Originally from Sweden.
Max Tardy-Duluth East HS-Committed to Minnesota-Duluth-Good playmaker.
Kellan Lain-Oakville(OPJHL)-Committed to Lake Superior-
Fredrik Csisar-Team Illinois Midget Major-Committed to Nebraska-Omaha-One of the top junior players in Norway. Good skater. Could improve his strength.
Uncommitted Forwards
Jeremy Morin-NTDP U17-Amazing Select 14 Festival has made him one of the top US prospects for his age. Played well at 2006 '91 Prospects tourney. Natural goal scorer. Considered playing college hockey. Younger brother of Chad Morin and cousin of former Boston College defenseman JD Forrest. Expressed interest in Michigan, Minnesota, Denver, and some Eastern schools.
Anders Lee-Edina HS(MN HS)-One of the top players on the top Class A team in Minnesota. Very strong forward. Also an excellent football quarterback.
Jerry D'Amigo-NTDP U18-Choosing between RPI, Miami, and Notre Dame.
Sam Alfieri-Shattuck-St. Mary's-Big, all-around solid forward. Good skater and good puckhandler. Uses his size well. Originally from Buffalo, New York.
Isaac Kohls-Hill-Murray(MN HS)-Short, but is very strong. A good playmaker that is dangerous in the offensive zone. Originally from Forest Lake, Minnesota.
Tyler Brickler-Lincoln(USHL)-excellent Fall Classic leading the team in pre season plus/minus for a 91. Made select u-17 5 nations tourney.
Travis Belohrad-Peak to Peak(CO HS)-Made All-star game at Sioux Falls tryout camp.
David Valek-NTDP U17-Born in Utah, played in Czech Republic, before coming to Honeybaked. Big for his age, and considered to be very talented. Interested in Michigan.
Tyler Landman-Roseau HS(MN HS)-One of the top scorers at 2006 Select 16 Festival. Talented offensive player. Great passer. Gritty, hard worker.
Joe Tullis-Chicago Mission-Fast skater and a very hard shot.
Jared Rickord-USHL-Talented goal scorer.
Brad Robbins-Shattuck-Good skater, and an excellent set-up man.
Connor Gaarder-Edina HS-
Matt Tabrum-Pikes Peak AAA-Made final 40 of Tri-City camp. Good speed. Father was an assistant coach under Don Lucia at Colorado College.
Charlie Thauwald-Rochester Mayo-Brother of Colorado College's Scott Thauwald. Very talented young player. Big, power forward.
Kit Sitterley-Culver Academy-Originally from North Carolina. Article.
Daniel Ciampini-St. Mike's(OPJHL)-3rd round pick of Peterborough Petes. Choosing to keep NCAA options open.
Tom Malone-Maple Grove(MN HS)-Solid player with a lot of potential.
Josh Gross-Maple Grove(MN HS)-
Ben Persian-Orono HS(MN HS)-Already 6'4". Played at Select 15 Festival.
Joey Rehkamp-Breck School(MN HS)-4th leading scorer for Breck's team in 2005-2006. Small, but quick.
Sean Logue-Xaverian HS(MA)-Peewee teammate of Phil McRae and Max Barron. Father played football for Boston College.
Brent Olson-Duluth East HS(MN HS)-Very fast skater.
Jordan Miller-Belle Tire-Good all-around hockey player.
Evan Ohngren-Little Caesar's-Very strong, power forward. Likes to go in the corners and hit people.
Derek Bayagich-Little Caesar's-Smaller player, but fast in open ice.
Garrett Peterson-Team Illinois-
Chase Davis-Dallas Alliance AAA-Good prospect from Texas. Played at 2006 Select 15 Festival.
Committed Defenseman
Cam Fowler-NTDP U17-Committed to Notre Dame-Considered one of the best players in his age group in North America. Amazing skater his age and size. Very tall. Great anticipation. Does everything very well.
Nick Leddy-Eden Prairie HS(MN HS)-Committed to Minnesota-Very athletic, mobile defenseman.
Matt Donovan-Cedar Rapids(USHL)-Committed to Denver-Originally from Oklahoma. First Dallas Stars player to be drafted in USHL first round. Excellent defensive defenseman.
William Wrenn-NTDP U17-Committed to Denver-Solid, dependable defenseman. Moves well for his size. Committed to NTDP. Originally from Anchorage.
Luke Witkowski-Team NXI Midget-Committed to Western Michigan-Excellent skater that is very good with the puck.
Seth Helgeson-Faribault HS(MN HS)-Big defenseman with a lot of potential. Likes to carry the puck up the ice. Huge slap shot. Invited to try out for NTDP U18 team in 2007.
Steve Spinnell-Team Illinois AAA-Committed to Miami-Ohio- Good combination of size and speed. Confident, poised player.
Paul Phillips-Cedar Rapids(USHL)-Committed to Denver-Originally from Chicago-area. Excellent hockey sense.
Corey Fienhage-Eastview(MN HS)-Committed to North Dakota-Big, physical defenseman.
Justin Schultz-Westside(BCHL)-Committed to Wisconsin-Tall offensive-minded defenseman. Rated as mid-round NHL pick by NHL CSB.
Austin Handley-Des Moines(USHL)-Committed to Michigan State-Rated 7th best defenseman at 2005 Select 15 Festival. More defensive-minded defenseman.
Sam Calabrese-NTDP U18-Committed to Notre Dame-Played defense for TI, but could up being a forward. Excellent skater. Amazing accleration. Loves to jump into the rush. Similiar to J-M Liles.
Lee Moffie-Avon Old Farms-Committed to Michigan-
Danny Heath-PF Chang Midget Major-Committed to Minnesota State-Good skater with nice offensive instincts.
Mike Miller-Honeybaked Midget Major-Committed to Bowling Green-Good vision and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Originally from California, but moved to Michigan to play with Honeybaked. Loves to make big hits. Could improve his skating a little.
Taylor Johnson-Green Bay(USHL)-Committed to St. Cloud-Originally from White Bear Lake. Small, but solid defenseman.
Ian Ruel-Victory Honda Midget-Committed to Bowling Green-Competes hard and can do just about anything well. Very physical. Originally from Ann Arbor
Uncommitted Defenseman
Nick Pryor-Des Moines(USHL)- Son of former NHLer Chris Pryor. Played well at Select 15 Festival, and was ranked as the second best defenseman in his age group.
Tyler Amburgey-NTDP U18-Huge defenseman. Nice shot from the point. Plays strong defense.
Michael Montrose-Waterloo(USHL)- played L.C. U-16 last year while playing in-your face defense and using his speed to bring up the puck. Hits very well.
John Ramage-NTDP U18- son of fromer NHL Rob Ramage. Hard hitter with a blistering slap shot. Excellent speed and not afraid to go in to the corners to retrieve the puck.
Richie Crowley-USNTDP-eastern defenseman with a great shot and knows when to step up and pinch. Good vision and great skating ability.
Ben Hughes-Chicago(USHL)- Good skating defenseman that is very smart and moves the puck well. Received interest from Wisconsin, Michigan, BC, UNH, Maine, and UMass-Amherst
Nick Jensen-Rogers HS(MN HS)-Good offensive defenseman. Excellent agility.
Keenan Kelly-Notre Dame Prep-American defenseman playing at Notre Dame Prep. Deciding between NCAA and Seattle of WHL. 6'1" 205 lbs.
Phillipp Samuelsson-PF Chang(Phoenix) Midget-Son of Ulf Samuelsson.
Ben Montgomery-Shattuck-St. Mary's-Originally from Minnesota.
Brendan Baker-Edina HS(MN HS)-Good skater and excellent checking ability.
Jared Maetche-St. Cloud Tech HS(MN HS)-Moved to defense. Good shot.
Izaak Berglund-Little Falls HS(MN HS)-Solid all-around defenseman with a heavy shot.
Patrick Borer-Benilde-St. Margaret's(MN HS)-Small defenseman that moves the puck well.
Joe Arbour-Duluth East(MN HS)-Big, physical defenseman. Could improve skating.
Committed Goalies
Michael Lee-Roseau(MN HS)-Committed to St. Cloud-Top goalie in the state of Minnesota.
Adam Murray-NTDP U17-Committed to Denver-Extremely athletic goalie. Played exceptionally for NTDP in 2007. Originally from Anchorage.
Aaron Crandall-Green Bay Gamblers(USHL)-Committed to Wisconsin-Played HS hockey for St. Thomas Academy.
Kevin Murdock-Lincoln Stars-Committed to Minnesota State-Originally from Florida. Played bantam hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's.
Drew Palmisano-Omaha(USHL)-Committed to Michigan State-Played well for Omaha after being traded from Ohio.
Joe Rogers-Motor City(NAHL)-Committed to Notre Dame-Excellent quickness. Great work ethic.
Connor Knapp-Jr. Bruins-Committed to Miami-Big goalie.
Uncommitted Goalies
Eric Ferber-Bay State Breakers-Played well at 2006 Select 15 Festival. Four straight shutouts at Swift Current rookie camp.
Jeff Teglia-Chicago Mission-Very athletic goalie. Quick movements and can make acrobatic saves.
Justin Farrell-Shattuck-St. Mary's-One of the top goalies in his age group. Moved to Shattuck from New Jersey.
Tyler Bruggeman-Fargo Force(USHL)-Led Mankato West to 2008 State Tournament.
Kyle Washer-Detroit Honeybaked-3-time selection for US Select Festivals.
Corey Morbeck-Wisconsin AAA-Impressive performance at 2006 Select 15 Festival.
Trent Caspar-Eagan(MN HS)-Invited to Select 15 Festival. Stand-up goalie.
