Dick Baker is reporting that John Parker is no longer committed to UMass.  I had gotten wind of this a few weeks back but was waiting for official word.  Everything he reports, that the coaching staff wanted to convert him to a defenseman and Parker balked, coincides with what I heard separately.  It’s worth noting that a number of people close to Parker thought he should make the transition, but lobbied the point to no avail.  Given the success the coaching staff has had converting or taking on recently converted forwards to defensemen, like Thomas Pöck and Adam Phillips, you have to wonder if this was the best decision by Parker.  Given his relatively bleak offensive output in his USHL career he may have problems acquiring another Division I full scholarship offer, much less one from a Hockey East level team.  Either way, good luck to him in the future.  I hope he finds a good fit for him hockey-wise.

In case  you’re scoring at home, this is three recruits from New Jersey who have decommitted in recent years.  Parker, DelMauro, and of course prior to that John Carlson.  Let’s hope that trend ends when Kevin Boyle gets to campus.

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Ok, trying out a slightly different format for the weekly recruit update post.

Kevin Boyle – G – Westside Warriors (BCHL)
25GP / 12-12-1 / 2.83 GAA / .909 sv%
Boyle has been idle since 12/18.  His 12 wins are good for 9th in the league.

Kenny Gillespie – RW – Shattuck St Mary’s (MN)
22GP / 7 G / 17 A / 24 Pts / 34 PIM
Gillespie has also been idle since the week before Christmas. 

Zack LaRue – C/F – Markham Waxers (OPJHL)
37GP / 25 G / 28 A / 53 Pts / 18 PIM
UMass’ newest recruit has been idle since a week before the holiday as well.  In my research of LaRue I’ve determined the Waxers do not have a website or allowed a cyber-squatter to grab ahold of it. 

Shane Walsh -LW – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
18GP / 2 G / 5 A / 7 Pts / 8 PIM
Also idle.

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Baker also has a good preview of the Wisconsin series.  Look for my preview tomorrow night.

Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves was interviewed prior to the series.  I like this quote when asked about UMass, “The penalty killing, they take time off.”  Yep, you could say that.