Bob Miller had two good updates on the Yost Post about hockey recruiting. Basically we're 50-50 to land another stud defense recruit (whose dad happens to be ex-Tiger Dan Petry) and despite his appearance at the Plymouth Whalers rookie camp, AJ Jenks isn't going anywhere but Ann Arbor. The highlights:
The 6-3 180 pound right defenseman has seen his stock skyrocket since
joining the eventual USHL champion Des Moines Buccaneers mid-season. He posted a 1-14-15 scoring line with a +6 plus/minus and 68 penalty minutes in 48
games.
Pro scouts agree on his skating and puck movement abilities, so much so that he was ranked the 36th overall North Ameican skater by the NHL's Central Scouting Service in their final 2006 listings.
A 6'3" defenseman that can skate well and move the puck? Sign me up! Hopefully we'll land him, since we see Cook, Dest, and Hunwick leave after next year (and more than likely Jack Johnson as well). Here's more on Petry courtesy of INCH (HT: Western College Hockey)
The good news for Michigan hockey fans is that Jenks more than measured up in
his on-ice play. Although competing in a roller hockey tournament as well over
the weekend, Jenks employed his usual brand of skills to be one of the dominant
on-ice performers. His uncanny ability to find open ice in the offensive zone
allowed him frequent scoring chances and he continued to be a dominant force in
the faceoff circle.
I love everything I've read about Jenks (most of which has come from Bob Miller). Despite the fact that he looks just like Paul Davis, minus the crying, I think he's going to be awesome for us. I wish we could have him next year, even if it's just to take faceoffs, since apparently he wins like 90% of his draws.
One other very interesting thing I read this week in The Hockey News' Draft Preview (no link since it's in the print version): They have incoming freshman Chris Summers listed as a first-round pick (along with Mark Mitera). The article says that "He glides faster than most players in the NHL skate", but then it goes on to project him into the NHL as a defensive forward. Kind of interesting considering the logjam on defense this year with both Hunwick and Johnson spurning pro offers. If Steve Kampfer is good enough to earn a spot on the blueline this year, maybe Summers could see some time up front. Or maybe it was just a typo. The other oddity was that uber-recruit Trevor Lewis didn't crack their top 100, despite the fact that he's...ya know....God and all.
Can you tell it's the offseason?
2 comments:
The Central Scouting Bureau notes on Summer makes mention of his versatility because he spent time at forward near the end of the season with the U.S. Under-18 Team, and I also believe he played forward at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships where he scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game. If his wheels are as good as advertised, I wouldn't doubt a possible move to defensive forward whenever he turns pro, but for now I'll be happy to see him on the Michigan blueline.
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