29 replies to this topic

[Jamie]

The Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) are pleased to announce that forward Nick Schmaltz has informed head coach Derek Lalonde of his intent to play for the Gamblers next season.

Schmaltz was added to the Gamblers 23-man protected list in early November. Schmaltz, whose brother Jordan is a defenseman for the Gamblers, is considered by many scouts to be the top 1996 birth year forward in North America. The Verona, Wisconsin native has played in the Chicago Mission system since 2007. Since 2007, Schmaltz has scored 91 goals and produced 190 points in 115 games.

“Nick decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and we can’t be more excited,” said head coach and General Manager Derek Lalonde, “For Nick to decide to play here in Green Bay speaks volumes of the Gamblers organization and the USHL.

The Gamblers are home Saturday night for the 13^th annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by State Farm as they take on the Chicago Steel. Fans who attend are asked to bring a new bear to the game to throw out on the ice when the Gamblers score their first goal. Face-off is set for 7:05pm. For tickets and information visit gamblershockey.com.

[CC313]

The first coup of next year's recruits.

[Mr Ricochet]

CC313, on 08 February 2012 - 07:39 PM, said:

The first coup of next year's recruits.

Indeed........... Thanks for the post, Jamie.

[mulletboy]

Hope is able to contribute at a higher level than his brother.

[Oldin Sloe]

The biggest question will be can he stand up to the size of the USHL.

[Ryan]

Oldin Sloe, on 09 February 2012 - 11:32 AM, said:

The biggest question will be can he stand up to the size of the USHL.

A goal and 3 assists in 11 USHL games isn't too shabby for a kid who will turn 16 in a couple weeks.

[gbpuckfan]

I'm pleased with any kid who turns down the NTDP to play with a regular USHL team - Green Bay or otherwise.

And during his short stint here, he often was more noticiable on the ice than his brother. Not that "not seeing" a stay at home defenseman is necessarily bad, but you know what I mean.

[Ryan]

gbpuckfan, on 09 February 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

I'm pleased with any kid who turns down the NTDP to play with a regular USHL team - Green Bay or otherwise.

And during his short stint here, he often was more noticiable on the ice than his brother. Not that "not seeing" a stay at home defenseman is necessarily bad, but you know what I mean.

Did he change his game and turn into a stay at home defenseman since the trade?

[CC313]

He hasn't really had to be the "go to" guy for his offensive skills in SC. Here, he is one of numerous D that are looking to push forward. As far as Nick, he handled himself well every game that he played more and more. It's not often a 15 year tears up a league dominated by numerous elder kids. He was behind the speed initially, but he's a smooth skater, his hands and stick handling were ridiculous at times. Needs to shoot more, but that will come with his role. He's 1 of 4 potential Gamblers next year that USA had in its sights and/or were on their training camp roster this past year that were cut. It will be interesting to see how the dominoes fall.

[gbpuckfan]

Ryan, on 09 February 2012 - 06:41 PM, said:

gbpuckfan, on 09 February 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

I'm pleased with any kid who turns down the NTDP to play with a regular USHL team - Green Bay or otherwise.

And during his short stint here, he often was more noticiable on the ice than his brother. Not that "not seeing" a stay at home defenseman is necessarily bad, but you know what I mean.

Did he change his game and turn into a stay at home defenseman since the trade?

i was comparing him to his older brother - a defenseman - who is expected to be a high draft pick. Sorry that wasn't clear... When both were in the same game, the younger brother was often the one making the play you'd go "ooh" for

[a komets fan]

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

[Ryan]

gbpuckfan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

Ryan, on 09 February 2012 - 06:41 PM, said:

gbpuckfan, on 09 February 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

I'm pleased with any kid who turns down the NTDP to play with a regular USHL team - Green Bay or otherwise.

And during his short stint here, he often was more noticiable on the ice than his brother. Not that "not seeing" a stay at home defenseman is necessarily bad, but you know what I mean.

Did he change his game and turn into a stay at home defenseman since the trade?

i was comparing him to his older brother - a defenseman - who is expected to be a high draft pick. Sorry that wasn't clear... When both were in the same game, the younger brother was often the one making the play you'd go "ooh" for

Nick is a forward, so that'd make sense. You usually notice forwards moreso than D.

[Ryan]

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Maybe NTDP, but Windsor seems like a longshot since they couldn't lure Jordan away from SC/GB and his commitment to North Dakota.

[Yeti]

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Article I read the other day mentioned that the younger Schmaltz was already offered a spot on the NTDP roster and declined.

[a komets fan]

Yeti, on 09 February 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Article I read the other day mentioned that the younger Schmaltz was already offered a spot on the NTDP roster and declined.

I saw that too, but he's in the middle of his season w/ Green Bay. I think it's a little premature to be thinking about changing teams for next season.

[a komets fan]

Ryan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Maybe NTDP, but Windsor seems like a longshot since they couldn't lure Jordan away from SC/GB and his commitment to North Dakota.

As of right now they can't lure Jordan away.

[Spit n Argue]

Yeti, on 09 February 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

Article I read the other day mentioned that the younger Schmaltz was already offered a spot on the NTDP roster and declined.

While I certainly don't want to sidetrack this thread I must ask what reasons could one have to decline a NTDP roster spot?

[a komets fan]

Spit n Argue, on 09 February 2012 - 11:45 PM, said:

Yeti, on 09 February 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

Article I read the other day mentioned that the younger Schmaltz was already offered a spot on the NTDP roster and declined.

While I certainly don't want to sidetrack this thread I must ask what reasons could one have to decline a NTDP roster spot?

Most of the time it has to do with a player wanting to stay at home/closer to home. It doesn't happen that often and if Schmaltz does in fact turn it down again this summer I think he'll be the first non-Minnesota native to turn down a NTDP offer.

[siouxforce19]

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Ryan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Maybe NTDP, but Windsor seems like a longshot since they couldn't lure Jordan away from SC/GB and his commitment to North Dakota.

As of right now they can't lure Jordan away.

If they haven't lured him yet, they aren't very good at their job. They even tried that bit with the media to lure him and it hasn't worked.

[a komets fan]

siouxforce19, on 10 February 2012 - 01:35 AM, said:

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Ryan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:24 PM, said:

a komets fan, on 09 February 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

Yeah, just wait until Windsor takes him with one of the top 30 picks in the Priority Selection this summer and the NTDP officially comes knocking. Another premature commitment by a Schmaltz that will end up making him look foolish.

Maybe NTDP, but Windsor seems like a longshot since they couldn't lure Jordan away from SC/GB and his commitment to North Dakota.

As of right now they can't lure Jordan away.

If they haven't lured him yet, they aren't very good at their job. They even tried that bit with the media to lure him and it hasn't worked.

Warren Rychel almost always gets what he wants, mainly because money talks. Just wait until July when he has an NHL team preferring him go to Windsor and a 5-6 figure bonus plus an education package enticing him to go to Windsor.