Brainerd defenseman Olson commits to UMD

Brainerd High School defenseman Drew Olson has committed to Minnesota Duluth for the fall of 2008 or 2009. Olson, who currently stands at 5'11", 195 lbs, will be a senior for Brainerd this year and could join UMD as early as next fall. Olson was recently rated "B" prospect for this summer's NHL Entry Draft by the NHL's Central Scouting Service, and was a fourth round pick by the Omaha Lancers in the 2006 USHL Futures Draft. Olson would likely play in Omaha next year if he defers his enrollment at UMD to the fall of 2009.

Burnsville's Hendrickson commits to UMD

According to a report in the Duluth News Tribune, Burnsville High School forward Jake Hendrickson has committed to play for Minnesota Duluth. The senior will join the Bulldogs in the fall of 2009 after playing this upcoming season for Burnsville and then playing a year in the USHL. He's currently participating in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. According to the report, he made recruiting visits to North Dakota, Colorado College, Denver and Wisconsin.

From the article:

Last season, Hendrickson had 26 goals and 45 assists for 71 points in 30 games as Burnsville went 19-11 and finished fourth in the 2007 Minnesota Class AA tournament. In the Upper Midwest High School Elite League this fall, he has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 15 games for Team Northeast, to tie for third in league scoring.

Lessard, Niskanen, and Sertich featured on NHL.com

Former Minnesota Duluth players Junior Lessard and Matt Niskanen, along with former Colorado College player Marty Sertich, are featured in an NHL.com article today about some of the Dallas Stars' top prospects. Both Lessard (2004) and Sertich (2005) are former Hobey Baker award winners.

National Junior Evaluation Camp begins today

The 2007 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp started today in Lake Placid, N.Y. The camp runs from today through Saturday, Aug. 11. This camp helps USA Hockey choose which players will represent the U.S. at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2007-Jan. 5, 2008, in Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic.

Here is a list of all the players with WCHA ties that will be at the camp. Players with a * after their name were on last year's team.

Cade Fairchild - D (Minnesota)
David Fischer - D (Minnesota)
Jamie McBain* - D (Wisconsin)
Ryan McDonagh - D (Wisconsin)
Trent Palm - D (Minnesota Duluth)

Mike Carman* - F (Minnesota)
Ryan Flynn - F (Minnesota)
Blake Geoffrion* - F (Wisconsin)
Kyle Okposo* - F (Minnesota)
Rhett Rakhshani - F (Denver)
Tyler Ruegsegger - F (Denver)
Jordan Schroeder - F (Minnesota recruit)
Bill Sweatt* - F (Colorado College)
Patrick White - F (Minnesota)

Click here to view the entire camp roster.

UMD recruit Oberg bumped up to 2007-08

According to this release on UMD's official website, the Bulldogs will bring defenseman Evan Oberg to their program this fall. Oberg was originally slated to become a Bulldog in the fall of 2008.

Last season, Oberg had nine goals and 14 assists in 52 games while playing for Camrose in the AJHL. UMD has landed several players from the Camrose program over the years, including former standout Mason Raymond, and current players Matt McKnight, MacGregor Sharp, and Logan Gorsalitz.

Oberg turned 19-years-old this past February.

From the release:

"Evan is just a real solid all-around defenseman," said head coach Scott Sandelin, who will begin his eighth season behind the Bulldog bench this fall. "He's got some terrific offensive skills, knows how to handle the puck, and see the ice well. His addition now gives us eight defensemen and a much-needed lefthanded shot from the point."

INCH A to Z: UMD's Drew Akins

Each summer, Inside College Hockey does their A to Z list that features various players throughout college hockey. Obviously, this list generally includes several WCHA players. INCH released the first two names on their list today, with Minnesota Duluth forward Drew Akins being one of those two names. Click here to read more.

Duluth East forward Tardy commits to Bulldogs

According to today's Duluth News Tribune, Duluth East forward Max Tardy has committed to Minnesota Duluth. Tardy, who will be a junior for the Greyhounds this fall, is slated to join UMD in the fall of 2009. As a sophomore last season, Tardy had 12 goals and 12 assists. His older brother, Weston, played for Colorado College from 2002-2006 as a defenseman.

Tardy joins Jack Connolly of Duluth Marshall and John O’Neill of Anoka as 2009 Bulldog recruits.

Hjelle, Youso featured in IF Daily Journal

Minnesota Duluth recruit Brady Hjelle and Minnesota recruit Jake Youso, both of whom will be seniors at International Falls High School this fall, were featured in an article in the International Falls Daily Journal. The article, written by Joe Krause, talks about both players being selected to the USA Under-18 Select Team that will compete in this year’s Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, which will be held August 14-18 in Piestany, Slovakia and Hodonin, Czech Republic.

Hjelle, a goalie, is slated to join the Bulldogs in the fall of 2008. Youso, a forward, is tentatively scheduled to be a Gopher in the fall of 2009, but could be moved up to the fall of '08 if Minnesota is hit hard by early departures next spring / summer.

2007 U.S. Under-18 Select Team Named

On Monday, USA Hockey revealed the 21 players selected to compete in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, which will be held August 14-18 in Piestany, Slovakia and Hodonin, Czech Republic.

This team is selected based off performances at the recent 2007 USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp, which was held last week in St. Cloud.

There were seven players who are currently committed to various WCHA schools elected to the team. Others, such as Holy Angels' forward Danny Mattson or St. Thomas Academy goaltender Aaron Crandall, may eventually end up verballing / playing for a WCHA school.

G - Brady Hjelle (International Falls) - Minnesota Duluth

D - Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka) - Wisconsin
D - Aaron Ness (Roseau) - Minnesota

F - Mike Cichy (Boston Junior Bruins - EJHL) - North Dakota
F - Nate Dewhurst (Des Moines - USHL) - Denver
F - Jordy Murray (Shattuck-St. Mary's) - Wisconsin
F - Jake Youso (International Falls) - Minnesota

Source: Under-18 Team Announced