Sadly but predictably, Canadian F Cole Perfetti joined Antonio Stranges in signing an OHL contract. Once Perfetti was selected #5 overall, the writing was on the wall that he would not be matriculating to Michigan. Perfetti is an absolutely dynamic playmaker and overall offensive talent--not quite Jack Hughes but would have been one of Michigan's most highly touted F recruits in years.
Stranges' signing really hurts as he was a long-time Michigan commit from Michigan. He was the top American forward, went to the NTDP camp and was selected for the team. Few turn down the NTDP, and Stranges is an absolutely dynamic skater with filthy hands.
Holding on to Andrei Bakanov, the Russian sniper, and Owen Power, the 6'5" D, will be key to the '02 recruiting class--both are top-ranked talents. Bakanov is not eligible for the OHL this year but will be next year.
Highly touted '01 Fs Josh Groll, Austen Swankler and big Pat Guzzo are still slated to join Michigan in 2020. Puck-moving defensemen Jacob Truscott of NTDP and '01 Cole McWard are slated to join Power as is D Ethan Szmagaj.
Interestingly, Tim Biakabatuka's nephew Jeremie is an '02 D who was selected in the first round of the Q draft and was also invited to Canada's U17 national team trials. He is expected to go Major Juniors as a first round pick. His uncle was my all-time favorite U-M running back.
Stranges' signing really hurts as he was a long-time Michigan commit from Michigan. He was the top American forward, went to the NTDP camp and was selected for the team. Few turn down the NTDP, and Stranges is an absolutely dynamic skater with filthy hands.
Holding on to Andrei Bakanov, the Russian sniper, and Owen Power, the 6'5" D, will be key to the '02 recruiting class--both are top-ranked talents. Bakanov is not eligible for the OHL this year but will be next year.
Highly touted '01 Fs Josh Groll, Austen Swankler and big Pat Guzzo are still slated to join Michigan in 2020. Puck-moving defensemen Jacob Truscott of NTDP and '01 Cole McWard are slated to join Power as is D Ethan Szmagaj.
Interestingly, Tim Biakabatuka's nephew Jeremie is an '02 D who was selected in the first round of the Q draft and was also invited to Canada's U17 national team trials. He is expected to go Major Juniors as a first round pick. His uncle was my all-time favorite U-M running back.
