Friday, March 31, 2006

Mike Davies

I had the opportunity to talk hockey with a scout for one of the high-level Division 3 college hockey programs here in Wisconsin. One of the guys I asked him about was Mike Davies, who is currently with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL but has verballed to play for Mike Eaves' Badger team next year. I asked what role Mike Davies might play immediately, and this scout felt he'd be a role player coming in, but would grow from there. While Davies has shown both a scoring touch and ability to distribute the puck in Junior Hockey, he is a smaller player. With the Badgers losing McMurchy, Burish, Degenhardt and Licari up front you have to figure both incoming recruits Zach Bearson and Blake Geoffrion are destined to play every game. Matt Ford and Tom Gorowsky are also potentially waiting in the wings for a shot at more playing time after playing some games this year but not playing full-time for the Badgers. Davies also has to contend with Ben Grotting, Aaron Bendickson and John Mitchell who are the other recruits arriving on campus with him next year. The only thing that might increase his role would be a player such as Earl or Skille getting on offer from their NHL clubs (Toronto and Chicago, respectively) and accepting that offer leaving early.