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Wayne Simmonds from the COJHL - He's the third leading ROOKIE scorer in the league. 43 points in 49 games (24 goals and 19 assists) to go along with 127 PIM.

Tommy Dee from the NAHL - 66 points in 56 games (14 goals and 52 assists) to go along with 98 PIM.

Sounds like two phyical players...

So that makes 12 new guys for next year (according to http://members.aol.com/cheisenber/Recruit06.htm). Looks like we're finally getting some size also.

More size + the speed we already have = ????

Any idea how strong the teams of the COJHL are? I'm not familiar with the league and would appreciate some information.

I notice we are not tapping the USHL like the top hockey programs in the CCHA. Twelve new players is a sure sign of rebuilding, I would think, and perhaps that is about all the hockey program can do at this stage.

Anyone know who is replacing Jamie Dumont?

Or better yet, why he left and where he went?

FalconBlue wrote:Any idea how strong the teams of the COJHL are? I'm not familiar with the league and would appreciate some information.

I notice we are not tapping the USHL like the top hockey programs in the CCHA. Twelve new players is a sure sign of rebuilding, I would think, and perhaps that is about all the hockey program can do at this stage.

I don't know all that much about the COJHL. But, we have 4 recruits coming in from the USHL next season. This past season we had 11 players whose last team was a member of the USHL. Matsumoto is not one of those 11 (CJHL). The only current player from the COJHL is Russ Sinkewich, and he's a good solid defenseman.

Not being one of the top teams makes it harder to compete for the top players in the top junior league (USHL). For a lot of players, the USHL is the last stop for them before they get into college. But it usually isn't the first league they play juniors in.

I think our recruiting strategy has changed since Paluch took over and we are now going after the future stars of the USHL. Had Matsumoto stayed in juniors for another 2 years, he would have definately been drafted before going to college, if he even went. By getting to these players before they become stars gives us an advantage because we were there before anybody else. And besides, when you don't have that high profile USHL primodonna, it's easier to build a solid team that plays as a team.

FalconBlue wrote:Any idea how strong the teams of the COJHL are? I'm not familiar with the league and would appreciate some information.

I notice we are not tapping the USHL like the top hockey programs in the CCHA. Twelve new players is a sure sign of rebuilding, I would think, and perhaps that is about all the hockey program can do at this stage.

Anyone know who is replacing Jamie Dumont?

Traditionally the top leagues (in order):

1. USHL;
2. BCJHL (British Columbia - very offensive and skilled league):
3. ALL of the Ontario leagues combined;
4. Eastern -prep schools and high schools;
5. Saskatchwan and NAHL (tied)

Does that help?

Dublin Falcon wrote:
Traditionally the top leagues (in order):

1. USHL;
2. BCJHL (British Columbia - very offensive and skilled league):
3. ALL of the Ontario leagues combined;
4. Eastern -prep schools and high schools;
5. Saskatchwan and NAHL (tied)

Does that help?

And above those you have NCAA and OHL, then ECHL yada yada yada. It's basically a feeder system. The leagues listed lower feed their best players to the other leagues.

Yes it's a feeder system as are the Major Junior Canadian leaguse and the European leagues with the end all being the NHL at best or the AHL or ECHL. I think Scott and Ron have worked much harder with some degree of success in the USHL which IMO is great. After all, this league is what drives the WCHL the best college hockey conference right now. I would hope we'd do better in BC - Mich, MSU, Neb-O and NMU are doing well over the past 4-5 years and it is showing in the standings.