Mel Pearson continues to kill it on the recruiting trail

Submitted by Maizen on

Forward Cole Perfetti commited tonight. He's projected to be a 1st round (Top 5) OHL draft pick and high NHL draft pick. Big time scorer. He's being compared to Mitch Marner (who ironically almost went to Michigan as well).

 

Cole Perfetti (02) commits to Michigan. Whitby ON native, Vaughan Kings minor midget. Shifty, high IQ offensive FWD. Very dynamic. #WhosNext

— Matt Grainda (@graindaiv) October 27, 2017

The school in Ann Arbor continues to churn on the recruiting trail. This makes things a little more spicy come draft day. https://t.co/ZOt4eEvlps

— Priority Selection (@PrioritySelect) October 27, 2017

Watching some Titans Tourny on my lunch break. About 2 minutes in, Cole Perfetti goes through the entire Regals team to score a beauty. Wow.

— Brent Craswell (@brent_craswell) September 8, 2017

Cole Perfetti continues to pile up points. He was a top scorer at last year's OHF BTM Championships, and that ain't changing at the #OHLCup.

— Priority Selection (@PrioritySelect) March 17, 2017

2002 Cole Perfetti stealing the show a bit at OHL Cup. Highly intelligent player. Out-thinks his peers playing a year ahead of himself

— Andrew Sykes (@ASykes_7) March 17, 2017

Always intrigued to follow the underage players competing a year ahead of their peers. Cole Perfetti (Whitby) is one 2002 to watch! Gr8 pkg

— Brendan Ross

Exclusive 970 word Cole Perfetti @ColePerfetti91 article now posted: top 10 OHL Draft talent for 2018: https://t.co/2DSD9ezvxo pic.twitter.com/vxxUceAtCx

— The Scouting News (@hockeyscouting) January 30, 2017

stephenrjking

October 27th, 2017 at 12:04 AM ^

A very open question. Guys can't enroll in college until they've already been eligible for the OHL for a year or two. Americans have the NTDP alternative to tide them over, but it's really hard for a Canadian player with NHL prospects to turn down two years of top-flight competition to go to college. Some guys do. Hopefully he does. It's to Mel's credit that guys like this are flocking to the program--the future is very bright. It's also to Mel's credit that he appears to be recruiting as if not every hot prospect that commits will stick. Both reasonable and fair to everyone involved, and a sign that he's preparing to win with a number of different possible roster permutations. Early returns on Mel are incredibly good.

enlightenedbum

October 27th, 2017 at 1:46 AM ^

You can play in the OHL starting at age 16.  And that's one of the three top level major junior leagues, so if you're a Canadian from age 16-21, the top competition will be there.  If you decide to go to college instead, you're losing two years of high level competition to go to school in the US.

stephenrjking

October 27th, 2017 at 1:05 PM ^

Others filled in, but just to clarify: Cole is apparently a first-round OHL draft type player. If he foregoes his OHL eligibility, he will be spending two years (unless he goes Zach Werenski and enrolls early) playing at a lower level while his peers and friends will be playing, travelling, and developing in the top junior league. Once he enters Michigan, he'll be in a good spot, but the waiting is tough.

The guy has to really want to go to college for that to be remotely acceptable.

lhglrkwg

October 27th, 2017 at 5:53 AM ^

or what if we win the 2011 national title and Red retires on top and hands the reins over to Mel? Or if Red retired even 3 or 4 years ago when it was obvious the program was fading. Regardless, I'm just happy we finally got Mel back

PurpleBeaverEater

October 27th, 2017 at 4:15 AM ^

This is just getting crazy, Pearson seems to be putting in some serious work. Would love to see UM hockey trend in the right direction

Michigan Arrogance

October 27th, 2017 at 7:20 AM ^

This is the type of player the program needs - they've already stocked up on Dmen for the next 3 years, big time net fillers are all that's left to get.* too bad he seems to be a 19-2020 guy instead of 18

*and maybe a goalie or two.

Everyone Murders

October 27th, 2017 at 7:38 AM ^

Why is it ironic that Mitch Marnor almost went to Michigan?  Or is it that he almost went to Michigan ironically?  I'm just confused.

That aside, thanks for this update.  I'm glad to see that Pearson is recruiting so well, and looking forward to him rebuilding a monster in Yost.

Pepto Bismol

October 27th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^

Word on the street is that Michigan Hockey hasn't put forth this kind of recruiting effort in quite some time, and the immediate results are obvious.  Every day it seems there's another commitment post on Twitter.  No, they won't all stick, but Mel is getting after it.

More importantly, I loved what I saw against Vermont.  Much more responsible and patient with regard to puck possession.  You can see a difference just 4 games in.  So far, so good, Mr. Pearson.  Beat Penn State.

 

The Maizer

October 27th, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^

What does that mean? We just didn't try to recruit recently? Or Mel is doing something out-of-the-box to get interest?

And do you have BTN plus? I want to watch this team play but the TV coverage is infuriating. The next televised games are Nov 2, Nov 24, and Jan 5. It's October still and there are two games on TV for the rest of the year...

Pepto Bismol

October 27th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^

There have been more recruiting trips, visits, events, etc. in the past couple months than Red would have over an entire year.  They're going HARD. 

I do not have BTN plus.  I watched the St. Lawrence game on a pretty brutal stream from their end and I attended Saturday's game vs. Vermont - by all accounts the lesser of the two weekend performances and I still loved what I saw compared to the defensive mess we're used to seeing. 

But I might need to pick up BTN.  The lack of TV is painful.

Scottwood

October 27th, 2017 at 4:34 PM ^

His recruiting has been off the charts. They have the makings of top 5 classes each of the next 3 incoming classes already.

They are going to be a perennial national championship contender under Mel once he gets his players on campus.