UW Men's Roster for 2007-2008 and Beyond

The UW Men will graduate 4 forwards including Jake Dowell, Any Brandt, Andrew Joudrey and Ross Carlson as well as defensemen Jeff Likens and Matt Olinger and goaltender Brian Elliott. In addition, they will likely be joined by early departures by forward Jack Skille, defenseman Joe Piskula and potentially defenseman Kyle Klubertanz. In all likelihood, the Badgers will lose 9-10 players constituting over half their goals scored, at least half their defenseman, and their starting goaltender.

Incoming for the Badgers next season at forward are Kyle Turris, Patrick Johnson, Josh Turnbull and Sean Dolan. At defense Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh, Cody Goloubef and potentially Garrett Suter will join UW, as will goaltender Ryan Gudmandson. Chris Hickey is the only forward that could potentially accelerate from 2008 to join the Badgers in 2007 if needed, while Ryan Little is the only defenseman committed for 2008 and could also join the Badgers in 2007 if needed.

It's unbelievable to look back and see what a difference a couple of players decisions have made on this team. If Sam Gagner hadn't have been disgusted with his USHL team and decided to play Major Junior rather than spend another year in the USHL and then play for the Badgers, there would certainly be a lot more (much needed) firepower on the way next season at forward. While 2008 and 2009 are stocked with forwards that should be able to jump in and help the Badgers' fortunes immediately, the Badgers had trouble landing those types of forwards for 2006 and 2007 for a variety of reasons. Turnbull is probably the second best forward coming in next season, and he was accelerated from the 2008 season due to his great play in his first year in the USHL. Pat Johnson was playing for the Madison Capitols this season until injuries decimated Lincoln's lineup and he was able to come in and give them enough of a lift over a few weekends they asked him to stay. Sean Dolan accepted very little scholarship money which a lot of players had already turned down. Gagner's decision really put a crimp on the speed of the rebuilding process at forward for this team.

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth noting again. Mike Eaves does a great job of not "overpaying" for recruits. In 2006 and again in 2007 he has stuck to his guns and offered very little scholarship money to forwards knowing he could get higher caliber players in 2008 and 2009. Proof of this is that in 2009 the Badgers are slated to have 18 forwards on the roster, and the staff is still apparently talking to Vinny Saponari and Derek Lee for 2008. There are not a whole lot of "early flight risks" at forward right now for the Badgers so they very well may have way too many forwards by 2009. The good news is that at that point there's going to be a whole lot of good players to choose from.

Nigel Williams leaving after a short time here last season will cause major ripples through the Badgers recruiting. With two defensemen graduating this season and potentially two more leaving early, there will only be 3 defensemen left. That means the likelihood that three new defensemen will have to play every night and potentially the need to accelerate Ryan Little, the only 2008 defensive recruit, to 2007 depending on whether or not Garrett Suter gains admission.

With 6 defensemen graduating and/or leaving in the next two years, the Badgers are definitely going to need to be looking for at least one more defenseman for 2008, and possibly two depending upon whether Garrett Suter gets into school or not. Joey Marciano from the USNTDP visited campus in late October (2006) and I believe is a potential 2008 recruit. The only other defenseman that I remember hearing about recruiting-wise is Steve Spinell from Team Illinois who I believe is a 2009 recruit and has since committed to Miami-Ohio.

As for potential defensemen with Wisconsin ties, there's only a few out there that may be ready for 2008. Ross Henry currently plays for Lincoln in the USHL and could be a possibility. Aaron Schmitt was drafted by Omaha in the USHL last season and elected to play his Senior season at Culver. After a year of junior hockey he may also be a possibility. A few more possibilities with state ties may appear if some of the 2008 recruiting class defensive prospects choose to play junior hockey.

Brian Elliott will be sorely missed between the pipes, but I'm feeling pretty good about Shane Connelly who played great this season when given the chance. Scott Gudmandson arrives next season and was great in the AJHL two seasons ago, then terrible to start this season in the USHL and then great in the BCHL when he left the USHL. I'm guessing his Coaches' quick hook in Omaha of the USHL lead to a lack of confidence since Gudmandson has played great before and after that. With Howie as his mentor, I'm sure Gudmandson will be great as well.