Michigan Hockey: Rookie Recap

Michigan Hockey: Rookie Recap

Since it's a slow day today, here is a look at how each player from the 2010-2011 hockey team did during their respective NHL/ECHL/CHL seasons.

Carl Hagelin:

Everyone is familiar with the success Carl had in his first season with the Rangers. Carl fit in well alongside Richards and Gaborik despite all three having similar skill sets, and provided a much needed scoring option for a Rangers club that at times struggles to score goals.

Louie Caporusso:

Louie spent most of his season in the ECHL and had some pretty good numbers, finishing fifth on the team in scoring. I think he has the skill to eventually play in the NHL, but for right now the ECHL is where he will continue to play at.

Scooter Vaughan:

Scooter tried out for San Jose last season as a defenseman, but was cut after breaking his arm. After he signed with Wheeling he played twenty games before another injury ended his season for good.

Matt Rust:

Rust played almost his entire season with the Baby Pens, finishing with a moderate scoring line. I always loved his work ethic and style of play, which is why I expect a big jump from Rust next season in production. He should have the opportunity to make the NHL club next season as long as Columbus does not trade him.

Brandon Burlon:

Burlon played all season in Albany and put up ok numbers. They look much worse then they actually are, but a quick look at the Albany roster shows that only a handfull of blueliners finished with a positive +/-. I'm not a close follower of the New Jersey organization so I can't say what his future looks like, but NJ not pushing Merrill to come up tells me that they are confident with what they have.

Chad Langlais:

The Ironman started out with Dayton before being traded to Evansville. His stats were decent, but he is going to need to put in work to continue his hockey career in the future.

Bryan Hogan:

Hogan had the best Non-Hagelin season for Michigan rookies. After a shaky start on a not so good Dayton team he was traded to Wichita and exploded. Although he only played fourteen games with the Thunder, his GAA and SV% easily led the CHL. The future looks bright for Hogan.

Ben Winnett:

Winnett followed most of our 2010 team to Wheeling and then to Dayton. Ben never really took off with Michigan after being drafted in the fourth round by Toronto, but you never know when the switch can come on and a player takes off. The perfect example would be Dustin Gazley, who was a role player for MSU in his four years and was best known for getting jacked by Hunwick. He exploded for Elmira and lead the CHA in scoring after one year.

I'm not saying Ben Winnett will turn into a top six forward but you never know, so it's something to keep an eye on.

Tristin Llewellyn:

I included Tristin even though he was not a rookie last season, I figured no one knew what he was up too anyways so I included him. Llewellyn was a pretty good player when he wasn't in the box, which was all the time. He drew the ire of Michigan fans with his knack for bonehead penalties, which usually came at the worst times.

He was kicked off the team for an off-ice incident with Fallon and joined Elmira midseason.

Jacob Fallon:

Fallon was kicked off the team in 2010 with Llewllyn, he joined Indiana in the USHL during the 2011 season. Fallon will join the University of Vermont for the 2012 season.