Nick Schmaltz Named NCHC Rookie of the Month and Honorable Mention National Rookie of the Month

Freshman forward Jack Eichel (@TerrierHockey) has been named National Rookie of the Month #HockeyEast #HEA pic.twitter.com/c1mU1ZGD8G
— Hockey East (@hockey_east) November 5, 2014

It's been a good first month for UND forward Nick Schmaltz.

NCHC October award winners: @UNO_Hockey's Massa (Player) & @UNDMHockey's N. Schmaltz (Rookie): http://t.co/JIcSuLsXgV pic.twitter.com/J5D11jrmmX
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 4, 2014

Schmaltz Brothers: Making of Something Special

With the regular season right around the corner, one thing to take notice of is how well the Schmaltz brothers, Jordan(Junior) and Nick(Freshman) played in the exhibition opener against Manitoba this past Sunday.

Both these brothers have more in common than people might think. Both were drafted in the first round in their respective draft years to different teams in the Central Division. Jordan went 25th overall to the St. Louis Blues in 2012, and likely would be in their system if it wasn't for brother Nick coming to UND this season. Nick went 20th overall in this years draft to the Chicago Blackhawks, making the brothers the only first round draft picks on UND's current roster. Both also played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL before coming to UND as well.

Jordan is a puck moving defenseman who likes to shoot from the high slot when he has the opportunity to, especially when quarterbacking the power play. In his two years at UND, the St. Louis draft pick has totaled 36 points, 24 of those coming last season, doubling his freshman year total. He is an every day player and has continued to get better and better in each game. Jordan recorded a team leading three points (Goal, 2 assists) in the exhibition opener Sunday afternoon with two of them coming on the power play.

As for younger brother Nick, in the one game I was able to see him skate, he seems to have a Zach Parise like mentality to drive to the net, which will find him on the score sheet more often than not. Although he did not score Sunday, it was not due to the lack of trying. It seemed as if he couldn't buy a bounce to put one in, including hitting the post on an open net. If this net front presence continues for Nick, look for him to be a potential NCHC rookie of the year and putting the NCAA on notice.

The combination of the brothers will continue to grow chemistry as the season moves along and will make the power play that much stronger. Look for these two to be a factor in every single game this year and will be noticeable whenever they are not on the ice.

Nick Schmaltz impresses Chicago Blackhawks

Schmaltz leaves strong first impression http://t.co/cnmgh786tP
— ESPN Chicago (@ESPNChiHawks) July 24, 2014

While he may not be the second coming of Jonathan Toews, not many are, soon-to-be UND freshman forward Nick Schmaltz impressed the Chicago Blackhawks brass with his efforts during a recent development camp.

Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com --- To eliminate that risk, the Blackhawks could look to sign those college prospects earlier. They could attempt to sway their top top-tier college players to leave after their sophomore or junior seasons and sign them to entry-level contracts. They have done this before with players such as Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy.

The Blackhawks already appear to have a handful of players whom they might consider signing prior to their senior seasons. Forwards John Hayden, Vincent Hinostroza and Anthony Louis are coming off productive freshman seasons and continued to impress at last week's prospect camp. Tyler Motte didn't attend the camp, but he also had a strong freshman season. Nick Schmaltz, the Blackhawks' 2014 first-round pick, also played well in the camp and will be a freshman next year.

That being said, it doesn't appear that the Blackhawks are going to rush him to sign an NHL contract, either.

Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com --- Blackhawks amateur scouting director Mark Kelley did a majority of the evaluating of the 6-foot, 172-pound Schmaltz and had him high on the list of the offensively-skilled players in the NHL draft. One of Schmaltz’s skills especially stood out to Kelley.

“His hands, they’re fast,” Kelley said at the NHL draft.

Schmaltz isn’t a finished product, and that also attracted the Blackhawks to him. The Blackhawks weren’t looking for someone in the first round they could rush to the NHL. They sought someone with a high ceiling, but who would need time to get there.

The First Round Impressions RW77 Style

The Draft is Here and with it a Philly crowd who were very VERY vocal about their opinions.

I know it is childish, but it doesn't get old to hear Bettman booed.  But nothing prepared me for the opening speech by a high ranked Flyer official (I can't remember if it was the Team President or whoever I only caught his name as Roger _____ due to spotty internet connectivity).  It's ok to be nervous, and it was clear he was.  It was another thing to come across like you totally just adlibbed an opening message because you were told you were doing it 30 seconds before the microphone turned on.  He was reallly awkward.

Anyways, the news.... there weren't as many trades as NHL Analysts forecasted.  Kesler left for Anaheim and Bonino, Sbisa, and a pick (traded to NYR for Dorsett) came to Vancouver.

Overall, both teams get players that have to learn what the system is.  Kesler has to learn how to play with less diving while Bonino and Dorsett have to learn how to dive while Sbisa takes cheap shots at opposing first line forwards.

A few pick swaps and James Neal leaves Pittsburgh for Nashville for Hornqvist and Spalling.  Tampa Bay also got Garrison from Vancouver for a pick.

Anyways, the Americans did "ok" in the first round.  There were four taken in the first round.  The highest was drafted by my Detroit Red Wings.  Dylan Larkin was taken 15th overall.  He's off to Michigan in the fall... I think.  The next pick was another American in Sonny Milano, a BC recruit (for now... rumor has it he's going OHL).  Alex Tuch went to Minnesota 18th overall.  He's another BC recruit, IIRC.    Of those mentioned above, I think the most likely CHL departure is Milano.  I think next would be Larkin.  Detroit has had a mixed reaction with NCAA players.  Sure, Abdelkader and Nyquist seem to be working fine but Sheahan wasn't really a great experience.    The positive is that Ann Arbor is spitting distance from Joe Louis Arena.

20th overall was San Jose's pick, but they traded the pick to Chicago.  They wasted no time in drafting UND recruit Nick Schmaltz.  Nick, coincidentally idolizes Patrick Kane.  Melrose compared Schmaltz to Ottawa's Jason Spezza.  He also seemed pretty confident that Schmaltz was a future four year player at UND.

I agree insomuch that, of the five Americans drafted in the first round (DeAngelo is also American but he plays in the CHL so he's irrelevant to this discussion), Schmaltz is the least likely to go CHL.

I found it interesting to see how Schmaltz got drafted and how high he did.  Melrose tried to say that Schmaltz was as high as 10th overall and as low as 60th.  First, I saw at least 6 different mock drafts and NONE had Schmaltz higher than 21st.  Only 3 had Nick in the first round (cycled between Montreal and Boston picking around 25 and 26th with one going to St. Louis). 

Barry Melrose started absolutely gushing about UND and mentioned Belfour, Murray, and Toews and seemed to think that this was the best pick of the draft, but who knows.  Every scouting report had two basic complaints about Schmaltz:

1.  Inconsistent game to game.  Sometimes he can dominate and other times he's completely invisible.
2.  One dimensional.  He's offensively gifted and borderline liability in defensive zone.

So, someone compared Schmaltz to Vanek.  Actually, I'd consider him closer to Kessel.  No question Schmaltz has a ton of offensive potential.  No doubt he will develop and more than likely excel at UND.  However, I think we can expect some growing pains with Nick.  I cannot speak to off the ice, but on the ice, I think a good progression for Nick to be compared to is Danny Kristo.  Now, you can sling mud all you want at Minnesota or this analysis because I did only see Schmaltz play live once this last season in a Green Bay win over Omaha.  But what I saw was Schmaltz was fast but otherwise a nonfactor.

That's my first impression.  Now we turn to the coverage towards which CHL team Ryan Mantha will depart for.

UND Hockey: Six recruits join men’s hockey program for the 2014-15 Season

The University of North Dakota released it's 2014-15 freshman class today.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today that six incoming freshmen have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the program for the 2014-15 season.

Name: Cam Johnson             
Pos: Goalie     
Ht: 6-1   
Wt: 199     
Hometown: Troy, Mich.                          
Previous Team: Waterloo (USHL)   

Draft eligible in 2014 ... Split the 2013-14 season between the Fargo Force and the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … Was traded to Waterloo mid-season and went 11-1-1 with a 1.86 and .939 save percentage … Made a combined 35 starts with Fargo and Waterloo and went 13-15-4 with a 2.68 GAA and .920 save percentage … Spent the entire 2012-13 season with Fargo, going 14-8-6 in 28 appearances with a 3.07 GAA and a .909 save percentage … Appeared in eight playoff games that season and backstopped the Force to the USHL’s 2013 Clark Cup Finals … Went 4-3 in the playoffs with a 2.40 GAA and .931 save percentage.

Name: Trevor Olson                   
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-2   
Wt: 188     
Hometown: Duluth, Minn.                      
Previous Team: Sioux City (USHL)  

Appeared in 21 games during an injury-shortened 2013-14 season with Sioux City and registered nine goals and 12 assists with a plus-10 rating … Split the 2012-13 season between Sioux City and Green Bay, collecting 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points in 63 games … Was a plus-17 … Played for Duluth East High School from 2009-10 to 2011-12 and amassed 32 goals and 57 assists in 61 games … Joined Green Bay for the final seven games of the season and was a member of the Gamblers’ Clark Cup championship team.

Name: Austin Poganski              
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-1   
Wt: 198       
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minn.                  
Previous Team: Tri-City (USHL)       

Draft eligible in 2014 and is ranked 100th among North American skaters by Central Scouting … Collected 19 goals and 12 assists in 55 games with Tri-City (USHL) in 2013-14, ranking second on the team in goals … Tied for fourth in the USHL with a team-leading 11 power-play goals … Also led the team in short-handed goals (3) and ranked second in shooting percentage (.153) … Named the 2012-13 St. Cloud Times All-Area Boys Hockey Player of the Year after racking up 35 goals and 31 assists in 23 games for St. Cloud Cathedral High School … Finished his prep career with 156 points in three years … Helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored seven goals in 11 games … Played for the USA Hockey Under-18 Select team in the Ivan Hlinka Cup in August 2013 … In August 2012 was the leading goal-scorer on USA Hockey’s Select Under-17 team that went undefeated in winning the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Name: Tucker Poolman               
Pos: Defense
Ht: 6-3   
Wt: 200     
Hometown: East Grand Forks, Minn.    
Previous Team: Omaha (USHL)       

Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft … Named 2013-14 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year … Served as team captain of the Omaha Lancers (USHL) in 2013-14 and tallied 15 goals and 26 assists with a plus-20 rating in 58 games … Led all USHL blueliners in goals (15) and power-play goals (10) and ranked third in points (41) … Also named to All-USHL First Team … Scored 29 career goals with the Lancers, the most in franchise history by a defenseman … Also played for Omaha in 2012-13, recording 14 goals and 14 assists in 64 games as a rookie … Spent the 2011-12 season with the Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) … Scored seven goals and 22 assists in 59 games … Father, Mark, lettered in football at UND from 1987-89 and currently serves as the athletic trainer and strength conditioning coach for the UND men’s hockey program.

Name: Nick Schmaltz                  
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-0   
Wt: 172     
Hometown: Verona, Wis.                       
Previous Team: Green Bay (USHL)  

Draft eligible in 2014 and ranked 19th among North American skaters by Central Scouting … Younger brother of UND junior defenseman Jordan Schmaltz … Was named to the 2014 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Roster last week … Helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2013-14 World Junior A Challenge … Collected 18 goals and 45 assists in 55 games with Green Bay (USHL) in 2013-14 and competed in the USHL All-Star Game … Led Green Bay in points and assists … Was named to the 2012-13 USHL All-Rookie Team after picking up 18 goals and 34 assists in 64 games … Led the U.S. in scoring at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament … His nine points paced Team USA to a silver medal … Made his USHL debut in 2011-12, appearing in 11 games and scoring one goal and three assists for Green Bay’s USHL Clark Cup championship team … Father, Mike, lettered in football at UND from 1988 to 1990 … Uncles, Marc Schmaltz (1988-91) and Monte Schmaltz (1992-93), also lettered in football at UND.

Name: Johnny Simonson            
Pos: Forward
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 170    
Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.              
Previous Team: Lincoln (USHL)       

Spent the 2013-14 season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, appearing in 58 games and leading the team in points (59), goals (28), assists (31), power-play goals (9), power-play points (18), shots on goal (229) and plus/minus (plus-7) … Tied for sixth in the USHL goal-scoring race and 12th in the league’s scoring race … Played with the Austin Bruins of the NAHL in each of the previous two seasons … Collected 27 goals and 30 assists in 59 games in 2012-13 and scored 18 goals and 20 assists in 59 games in 2011-12 … A 2011 graduate of Central High School in Grand Forks … Played for Central from 2008-09 to 2010-11 and was an all-state selection … Had 31 goals and 19 assists in 26 games as a senior … Older brother, Alex, played collegiate hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

UND will open the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game against the University of Manitoba on Oct. 5 at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The regular season gets underway Oct. 10-11 with a non-conference, home-and-home series with Bemidji State University.

2015 NHL Entry Level Draft Order

#137554484 / gettyimages.com

Round 1

1. Florida
2. Buffalo
3. Edmonton
4. Calgary
5. NY Islanders
6. Vancouver
7. Carolina
8. Toronto
9. Winnipeg
10. Anaheim (from Ottawa)
11. Nashville
12. Phoenix
13. Washington
14. Dallas
15. Detroit
16. Columbus
17. Philadelphia
18. Minnesota
19. Tampa Bay
20. San Jose
21. St. Louis (conditional to Buffalo)
22. Pittsburgh
23. Colorado
24. Anaheim
25. Boston
26. Montreal
27. Chicago
28. Tampa Bay (from NY Rangers)
29. Los Angeles
30. New Jersey

The 2015 Draft is next weekend on July 27 and 28. The Minnesota Wild will draft 18th and the Boston Bruins will draft 25th. UND recruit Nick Schmaltz based on the mock drafts and other information that I have read, is probably going to be drafted somewhere between 23rd and 30th. He could drop down to the second round as well.

Jordan Schmaltz compares his brother to Thomas Vanek

#137094162 / gettyimages.com

Interesting write up. This is one player that I can't wait to see put on the Green and White. I also don't think we need to worry about Nick Schmaltz going to the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. This was even after the Spitfires went after him pretty hard to play there.

Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com --- It isn't by accident that Nick has followed the same path as his brother, Jordan. They both played for the Chicago Mission and the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. Nick will be a freshman at the University of North Dakota in 2014-15, where Jordan will be in his third season as a defenseman.

"Nick is a player with a very high hockey IQ, and I think his vision and creativity with the puck are his best attributes," Jordan Schmaltz said of his brother. "In my mind he plays like [Montreal Canadiens forward] Thomas Vanek with the way he can slow down the game.

"It's pretty cool to see us take the same path. We've always done the same things growing up and are really close. So it's only fitting we'll get a chance to play together at North Dakota."

I do wonder if there is any way that Nick could convince Kasperi Kapanen to come to North Dakota, too.

Hump Day Links

The summer is starting to wind down. The School year is about to begin in a few weeks. That means that college hockey players will be returning to their respective campuses in a few weeks. Hopefully, this summer has a few hot days left before September comes our way. God knows that last winter was a doozy.

So far this offseason, 30 NCAA hockey players have forgone their college eligibility to sign professional contracts. This is counting Josh Jooris of Union that signed with the Calgary Flames.

Last week, Ludwig Karlsson of the Northeastern Huskies signed with the Ottawa Senators.

The WCHA has released its 2013-14 composite schedule.

University of Maine Black Bears: Civic Center hopes [Ice Breaker] tourney is Ice Breaker for NCAA hockey regional.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Forward Joe Pavelski has signed a five-year extension with the San Jose Sharks. Pavelski has (150g-186a—336pts) in 479 NHL games. The extension is for five years and 30 million dollars.

UND Hockey recruit’s Ryan Mantha, Austin Pognaski and Nick Schmaltz are listed on the 2013 Under-18 Select team that will participate in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Finland August 5-10. Team USA begins play against team Finland on Monday, August 5, 2013.

More UND bolters to CHL? (RW77)

Today the OHL held their Priority Draft. And some UND recruits are on the list.

The first two occur in the 4th round. The first was the Barrie Colts taking Brenden Lemieux with the 6th pick of the fourth round. Seven picks later, UND recruit Nick Schmaltz got selected by Windsor. There may be more, but it is unlikely (this post was written while the OHL draft was in the middle of the 10th round of 15 rounds).

What does this mean?

Hard to tell. I know very little about Barrir and Windsor's tactics. They aren't ultra agressive or perhaps even overtly Anti-NCAA like London of the OHL, Moncton of the QMJHL, or Red Deer of the WHL. However, Windsor has been pursuing Jordan Schmaltz very heavily and drafting his little brother is another tried and true tactic that has worked in the past. That being said, Jordan and Nick have both gone on record saying that they are committed to the NCAA route. I hope that is true, but with all the nefarious tactics and rumored financial incentives that have surfaced as of late, one cannot be too confident.

Of the two drafted, I think Lemieux has the highest probability of bolting for the Major Juniors. His dad went through Major Juniors (though with the QMJHL, not the OHL).

As with most cynical people, I have my predictions and what I hope. I predict the Schmaltzes show up in Grand Forks. I predict Lemieux will go the way of Matteau and go OHL.

It's too bad but it is the reality of the sport. Of course, I hope I'm wrong about Lemieux and he does skate for UND. I just won't believe it until he does. And, for the record, I believe the same will be true for uncommitted blue chipper Seth Jones.

We'll just have to wait and see... or perhaps Brad Schlossman can shed some light post draft.

EDIT: One other interesting development: UNO incoming recruit Alex Broadhurst was drafted in the 2nd round by London, a team that enjoys pressuring players away from the NCAA.