Everyone has a list at this time of year, so I thought I'd do my first one. This is NOT a "best of" ranking, just a list of some super sophomores that coaches, fans and other players have told me are off to a great start this season. I've seen quite a few of them play, and they're the kind of players you notice even when you don't know anything about the kid or the team.
So caveat emptor: This list is subjective. Even the fact that they're sophomores is subjective. (My kid is sophomore, but please notice that he didnt' make the list. I'm may be subjective, but I'm not arbitrary.) I'll do other lists throughout the season and would welcome your suggestions as to who and what you'd like to read about. And, of course, feel free to add your own super sophs in the comments section - just try to use "positive objectivity" (a term one of my readers coined) in your posts. In other words: no bashing, no hyping.
- Mitchell Snider - Traverse City West. One of 11 talented sophomores on the TC West squad, ranked #7 in the Division 1 coaches poll. Tied for team lead in scoring, Snider plays on PP and PK units and wins almost 75% of his faceoffs. Plus, he has two game winning goals. Here's the thing: He's 5'4" and about 120lbs.
- Tim Kane - Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Cougar defenseman started as a freshman on the state finalist team, currently ranked #1 in Division 3 by coaches poll. Hard hitter, great skater and moves the puck very well. Has a double-digit +/- rating through the Cougars' first 8 games (all wins). Destined to follow his older brother, senior Matt, in wearing the "C" on his jersey.
- Eddie Young - Reeths Puffer. Workhorse goalie has lead the Rockets to a 2-0 start in the OK Tier Two, including a 33-save gem against Forest Hills Central in a 3-2 victory. He boasts a GAA of 2.14, a save percentage of more than .950 and has posted two shutouts.
- Brendan Giffel - Grandville. The Bulldog defenseman has 6 points on the season and logs lots of icetime on the blueline. While there is no "C" on his jersey (yet), Giffel is a leader both on and off the ice, according Grandville coach Mike Bynski. His play in the recent Soo Tourney impressed observers, including scouts from the NOJHL.
- Michael Davey - GR West Catholic. The Falcon sophomore is the top defenseman on his team, according to his coach, because he's cut from the Bobby Orr mold: smart, handles the puck deftly and can control the tempo of the game. He quarterbacks the Falcon PP, plays on the PK and has 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) through 8 games
- Noah Greco - Rockford. One of two sophs on an upperclassman-oriented team, Greco centers one of the Ram's top two scoring lines and gets considerable PT on the PP. A playmaker, he had 4 points through first 7 games of the season. After watching the Rams play Grandville last week, the son-of-a-blogger had this to say: "That #4 looks pretty good."
- Austin Shipalia - East Kentwood. The Falcon defenseman has the kind of size and strength that Coach Todd Bell loves, which is why Shipaila was selected to be part of a defensive core that has only one senior, captain Ben Grover. Shipaila's ability to complete below the goal line and his willingness to learn have earned him considerable playing time on the Falcon's defensive-minded team.
- Heath Wagenmaker - Grand Haven. The Bucs forward has 2 goals and an assist on the season, but his stats aren't what impresses his coach, Dan Gadbois. Wagenmaker is a smart player who reads the ice and plays with a lot of heart, Gadbois says. His play, along with soph teammates Cody Horton and Connor Fredericks, has given Grand Haven a boost.
- Josh Pogodzinski - Wayland. The Wildcat soph has improved "beyond expectations" according to his coach. He plays on the team's first line and is Wayland's second-leading scorer with 4 goals and 5 assists through the first six games. Brings a spark to the team and is a creative playmaker who can finish.
- Parker Host - Hudsonville. While older brother Alex gets lots of notice as H'ville's captain and an all-stater, the younger Host is a solid two-way defenseman on a team that allows its d-men to be creative in the offensive end. He's rangy, an excellent skater and his passes often set the table for older brother on breakaways.
- Drew O'Brien - East Grand Rapids. The Pioneers are still looking for their first win of the season, but the sophomore forward has provided a spark to the team. A solid two-way player with great hands and vision, he's a regular on the PP and PK. His 2 goals and assist at the D-3 Challenge against #5-ranked Riverview and a #9 ranked Flint Powers helped keep those games close and gave Pioneer fans a glimpse of what's to come for EGR.
- Andrew Ulfsax/Ryan Mylenek - Mona Shores. Okay, I cheated but I have triskaidekaphobia. The Sailors' sophomore d-men are both strong, physical players who can skate. Ulfsax played on the Sailor's state finalist team last year and held his own on a senior-laden team. Mylenek is smaller, but strong on his skates, likes contact, pops right up after a hit (just like coaches preach) and has quick feet. With the two of them learning from junior Brock Carlston, the Sailors defense will be among the best in the area for several years.
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16 comments:
Max Rennaker from Forest Hills Northern/Eastern is another sensational sophomore. He has been a top defenseman for two years right along with Sam Swardenski(senior) and Spencer Mulder(senior). He was second on the team last year for defenseman scoring, and has been on the power play and penalty kill unit(1st PP unit this year). A great player off of the legendary Gallup Griffins team where he was a captain when they won districts and went to states four years in a row. (Parker Host was also on that team).
In Big Rapids you have Mike Hickson and Tom Hancock whom can play both sides of the game and often do, including PK, PP and SH...their line mate Bill Clark, also a sophomore helps form a complete soph line which collectively has scored over 1/2 of the teams goals...they go 180+ except for Hancock at 135 but plays like he does...
I think those guys are great players but I think you need to take a look at he sophomores Kenowa has. Austin Weigh is having a great season with points and setting up his teamates. His big size helps him dominate in the corners. And as at the 'D' postion Kevin Visser deserves to be on that list his plus minus is finaminal and with his speed he is hard to beat. Both have been huge parts of the strong start by the Knights.
Great additions to the list. What about Kalamazoo/Portage kids? Haven't seen them play enough this year to know who's who in Kalamazoo.
a pic from the fhc rp game.http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=7y3a1aa&s=1
Matt Coulson, a stay at home defenseman that leads West Catholic in hits. His style complements Mike Davey nicely. Nice list.
Where are Austin Zaloga, Kyle Hicks, and David Coppock from Mona Shores, and Matt Ragains from Portage Central? Ragains and Zaloga each played on Team West Michigan. [ANSWER EDITED FOR LENGTH]
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What about Lo/Cals Billy Watson. He is a talented foward with the ability to score, and a great PKer.
i saw that both mona shores defensemen are recognized on this list. there are also 3 sophomore forward, who are part or the top 3 lines which get pretty equaly ice time. these 3 sophomores are kyle hicks, david coppock, and austin zaloga. all 3 have earned their ice time and made important comtributions to the sailors. the 5 sophomores at shores all deserve to be recognized as exceptional players as sophomores. zaloga was on team west michigan so how is he not on this list being one of few sophomores on team west michigan.
Thanks for all the great additions. The vast majority of you who did it in a positive way, which is what I'd hoped for. For those who felt the need to be rude, your comments have been deleted and/or edited and you can go back to MLIVE.
As noted, this was not intended to be a "best of" list...more of a "I have either seen these guys or people have talked to me about these players." Since posting, I've seen Max Rennaker play (he's as good as advertised) and I hear the Mona boys not on my list (Hicks, Zaloga and Coppock) are playing ever increasingly important roles in the Sailors' success. The reality is that I just couldn't highlight all the sophs on one team (TCWest has 11, and the Titans are ranked #7 in D-1).
And some coaches I contacted didn't want to single out one player. For example, Portage Central Coach Jim Murray emailed me: "I am always hesitant to single players out because it sometimes results in hurt feelings. Matt Ragains will be very good player. My goalie, Brogan Vandevelde is a soph and playing well. Max Taylor and Kegan Hoerle are starting to produce and will be impact players. Jeremy Renda is grinder and makes an impact in his own way. See what I mean."
Great wisdom and insight, coach.
I don't know where the stats came from but Andew Ulfsax did not have two assists in the finals in the 2007 finals.
You are correct and now so are we. Junior defenseman Brock Carlston had two assists in the game. Ulfsax did have two PIM in the game, though. Box score is on the MHSSA site.
How are the super soph's holding up? Any new additions or highlight players that were not included on the first list? Is it time for the Freshman list?
Lots of the players who've were on the list and many in these comments have really stepped up. Check the Blog next week for Fabulous Freshman.
How about L/C's Kolin Morgan. He is a big hitter, very physical, great PKer and shot blocker. The kid is not afraid of anything, Great hockey player.
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