7 replies to this topic

[Gambler Fan 0203]

Just want to see if people know whats is wrong with Wisconsin hockey. I think Eaves is not going after players in the USHL. Wisconsin sits in the middle of the USHL so you will think it whould be easy to recuit. 5 or 6 teams less then a 4 hr. ride from The Badgers.

[Fangers]

What I've heard is that for years he really over recruited, which resulted in kids having to look for other options after being told by Eaves they longer wanted. So many no longer buy what Eaves is selling and are more aware of how many slots he has available vs. incoming "commits".

[Yeti]

I've heard the same rumors as Fangers, in regards to Eaves promising things that were later pulled....leaving the player out in the cold so to speak. I remember it happened to a former Lincoln Stars player, but I can't remember his name now.

[herbst20]

I dont think anything is wrong with Wisconsin hockey. They had players leave the program after last year that still had eligibility left. Craig Smith is an example.....and look what he is doing for the Nashville Predators this year. I read a stat that Wisconsin is starting 15 freshman/sophomores this year.....if this is the case it is tough to compete in the WCHA with this amount of youth. Recruitment of goaltenders is Eaves biggest problem in my eyes. One down year is not cause for concern in my opinion. Weren't they just in the Frozen Four 2 years ago???? He must be doing something right.

Edited by herbst20, 21 February 2012 - 03:30 PM.

[Fangers]

herbst20, on 21 February 2012 - 03:30 PM, said:

I dont think anything is wrong with Wisconsin hockey. They had players leave the program after last year that still had eligibility left. Craig Smith is an example.....and look what he is doing for the Nashville Predators this year. I read a stat that Wisconsin is starting 15 freshman/sophomores this year.....if this is the case it is tough to compete in the WCHA with this amount of youth. Recruitment of goaltenders is Eaves biggest problem in my eyes. One down year is not cause for concern in my opinion. Weren't they just in the Frozen Four 2 years ago???? He must be doing something right.

Not sure how close you are to the recruiting world, but it may end up being a couple rough years. I don't buy it's because of smith leaving - all the top programs have players leave early, but Wisc is not always the first choice for Wisc born kids like it used to be. Players/families/advisors have wisened up to the over recruiting and there are plenty of other good schools to go to.

And other parts of the country are starting to catch up, the depth of Wisc talent not quite what it used to be is another factor.

Yeti - my son's roomie in Waterloo, now at UNO, was one who backed out as well, but I don't think his offer was pulled, just not comfortable in the long run with things there.

Edited by Fangers, 21 February 2012 - 05:46 PM.

[TheGreaser]

They are not Ferris State!!!! Go Bulldogs!!!!

[Yeti]

Fangers, on 21 February 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

Yeti - my son's roomie in Waterloo, now at UNO, was one who backed out as well, but I don't think his offer was pulled, just not comfortable in the long run with things there.

I think I know who you are talking about.

The Stars player I was thinking about was Travis Erstad. I think he was originally from Wisconsin. Draft pick of the St. Louis Blues. Eaves and Wisky offered while he was in high school, and then later pulled it while he was playing junior hockey with the Stars.

[herbst20]

You are correct that I am not close to the recruiting world in Madison........I was a season ticket holder to Wisky for 5 years before moving to Cedar Rapids. Like I said they are young with a talented group of Freshman and Sophomores. They have 5 juniors and no seniors on the team. I am just saying I am not ready to ax Eaves yet. No it is not just Craig Smith, but they also lost Jordy Murray, and Jake Gardnier early as well. When you say to recruit the USHL.......look at their incoming guys. 3 of the 6 recurits are from the USHL. Like I said I do not know the recruiting ways of Eaves, but I can see they are young and inexperienced.