Elliot Olshansky has an interesting look at the Hockey East Hobey candidates, using a statistical formula to basically evaluate how clutch they are. Casey Wellman leads the league for forwards.
Speaking of Wellman, the Red Line Report, a scouting website and USA Today contributor, is saying that “he’s ready to leave the classroom immediately if NHL clubs come calling.” My general feeling about players leaving early is it’s their decision and I would rather not have players on the team if they’re not 100% committed and would rather be elsewhere. That only creates problems in the locker room. My specific feeling to Wellman’s pro prospects? He’s certainly on a high development rate right now given how well he’s done in his first two years. In my opinion is his pro potential greater than that of say Greg Mauldin who also left early to go pro (granted under much different circumstances) and has to date played only 6 games in the NHL? I’m not sure, but at the same time the Red Line Report knows much more about scouting hockey than I do. But we’ll see how this plays out. There were substantial rumors that James Marcou was most likely leaving after last season but that did not materialize.
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According to the Black and Blue Lincoln Stars Blog, Chris DelMauro has decided to head out west to play the remainder of his season in the USHL. I think this is a great move. Nothing like playing against and with the best to develop your game.
Conor Allen followed up his USHL Player of the Week honors with another good game as he had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win for Sioux Falls.
Eric Filiou is still out with mono for the Penticton Vees.
Nick Gordon, one of the recruits to keep an eye on, had five assists for Northfield-Mount Hermon in a game over the weekend.
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Thanks to the LA Times for providing links to Jon Quick’s Olympic mask. See the mask here and the backplate here.
It sounds like Scott Crowder’s Pond Hockey Classic was a big hit over the weekend. The honor presented to the winning teams? The Winnipehockey Cup, of course.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
jjmc85
/ February 9, 2010The thought of Wellman leaving early is sort of depressing. On the bright side, if he does well it could help with recruiting.
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Ryan
/ February 9, 2010the thing is whenever a good player from umass leaves early (Mauldin, Quick, etc) it seems like the team needs a couple of years to regroup themselves. I’ve noticed that UMass seems to have a good season every 3 years – 2004, 2007, 2010..maybe. Coach Cahoon mentioned on the hockey show tonight that he expects both of them back, but when it comes time for NHL offers and such he might change his decision on that. We’ll just have to wait and see.
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Ryan
/ February 9, 2010and i wanted to add about other teams having people leave early, it also hurts them the next year. take bu this year for example, if they still had guys like strait and wilson in the lineup they certainly could have some more points. even north dakota who didn’t lose anyone early a loss of one big player can really hurt you. Chay Genoway has been out since November with a concussion and probably won’t be back and they have really been struggling. If other guys like VandeVelde and Brad Malone left early, as I suspected they would, this team would be struggling even more than they are already doing so.
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Alan
/ February 9, 2010Also, look at Lowell. They were struggling before Dehner got hurt and now it’s just kinda sad.
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Ryan
/ February 9, 2010agreed, but they have a lot more talent than just him. falite and hutton seem to be the only ones really giving it their all. they have guys like campbell, worthington, scheu, schaus, etc and they haven’t been getting many points lately..kinda sad is right!
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jjmc85
/ February 10, 2010That made me laugh out loud Alan.
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winger
/ February 11, 2010Quick’s mask is quite badass.
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blindspots88
/ February 16, 2010update!
http://deadspin.com/5473320/us-hockey-team-denied-inspiration-from-80s-beer-slogan
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