Hello: Zach Werenski (Hockey)
I'm not sure this counts as 100% reliable but given the previous rumblings and the twitter below, Zach Werenski appears to have committed to Michigan's 2014 hockey class
Per a reliable source, NTDP dman Zach Werenski has committed to Michigan. Was a target. Ugh.
— BC Hockey Blog (@bchockeyblog1) June 6, 2014
As I mentioned in the previous thread when the first rumor popped up, Werenski is unanimously projected as top 10-15 NHL draft pick for 2015. That would put him comfortably in Jacob Trouba territory and the 5* category. If true, it's a big boost for our D-corps as he should be an instant impact guy, although I do believe he's coming in young. The original rumor said he was graduating high school early to get to A2.
He'd join fellow (2014) projected first rounder Dylan Larkin in this years class. For the 2015 draft class (which Werenski is in), we've also got commitments from Kyle Connor (proj. mid-1st) and Brendan Warren (proj. 2nd). A lot of great talent coming in in these next two classes.
FWIW, the website OTB ranked Werenski as their #1 uncommitted college prospect this past fall:
1. 97 D Zach Werenski – NTDP U17 – 6’1 – 206 Versatile, elite defenseman has a pro build and serious mobility. Regarded as one of the USA’s top defense prospects, Werenski is the full package both offensively as well as in his own end. Built out of a franchise defenseman mold and could very well be a one-and-done should he make it to college - London of the OHL own Werenski’s major junior rights.
I'm not sure why a BC blog is reporting that he committed, that's old news. It's supposed to be a paperwork thing, because he's graduating high school and trying to join the team a year early.
That's what they said on Rivals a couple weeks ago. From Spath's piece in the middle of May:
"It's a paperwork issue. He needs some documents from his HS in terms of fast-tracking to a degree this summer in order to sign a letter of intent with U-M. Everyone involved expects that to get done."
I was taking this tweet to be the emergence of new news. We knew about the above a few weeks ago, but I took the tweet to be a sign that it was cleared up and he was officially official. Maybe that BC Blog is just 4 weeks behind
So we add two top defensemen this year? Suddenly, our defense doesn't look so bad.
Also, the 2015 class is a big one. As you mentioned above, Warren and Connor are highly rated, but Boka is a defensemen who has the talent to be a #1 and Lavigne is on the CSS Rankings for goalies. Sam Miletic and Cooper Marody are both solid, but under the radar prospects. Cecconi as well.
2016 is even bigger. All 4 players will play for NTDP next year, and 3 of them already have NHL projections.
We'll see if he ends up on campus. A little internet investigating identifies that his OHL rights are held by the (cue Star Wars Death Star music) London Knights.
He's signing up to be on campus almost immediately and London has had his rights for over a year. If he was going to go to the O, we wouldn't be going through this
Please take a moment to be amused that we're likely taking a 2nd round pick from London....but not too amused or you might get sued
Does hockey have one and done's like basketball? If so, is he that good that he'll only play one year or do they usually stick around a bit longer?
Hockey doesn't even have the one-and-done. NHL prospects aren't required to play in college at all so eligible players basically chose between Canadian Leagues (CHL), college, USHL, etc.
Sometimes you'll get the unfortunate "zero and done" as kids will commit, sign an LOI, maybe even show up on campus for a bit, and then just leave (Connor Carrick and John Gibson are recent examples, both defected to the OHL soon before their freshman season)
Oh ok thanks.
Trouba definitely was one and done
is only around for a season or two, I'm excited to see him sign to play for Michigan and Berenson. I'd love nothing more than to see Michigan Hockey make one more run before Red retires.
He fits into Babcock's system, right?
*ducks*
and learn where the bars are, then he'll be gone.
We've had a lot of talent come through here but only two one-and-dones in recent memory (Trouba and Patch). We generally get at least two years out of everyone and we've even gotten four out of 1st rounders Chris Summers and Mark Mitera. JMFJ even stayed for 2.
Given that Werenski is coming in as basically a HS senior, I wouldn't be surprised to see us keep him 2-3 years