UND Hockey: Max Gerlach Committs to UND

Another day, and another highly-sought recruit commits to UND. This time, UND picks up Max Gerlach who has committed to UND for the 2016-17 season. According to his Elite Prospects Page, Gerlach is from Texas and plays for the Colorado Thunderbirds. He's also a Fargo Force draftee.

 According to Brad E. Schlossman, Gerlach, 16, is a draft pick of the Fargo Force in the USHL. He was actually born in Minnesota, but moved to Texas when he was four months old.

New #UND recruit 98 F Max Gerlach is torching the @T1EHL U16 loop with 21 goals in 19 games, plus 17 assists. Big week for North Dakota.
— Over The Boards (@OTBPuckWatch) January 3, 2015

98 F Max Gerlach (CO Thunderbirds U16) commits to North Dakota. Our #31-ranked uncommitted. Smaller skater with great quickness and skill.
— Over The Boards (@OTBPuckWatch) January 3, 2015

Very honored and excited to announce my commitment to the University of North Dakota. Thanks to everyone who has helped get here. #GoSioux
— Max (@Gerlach91) January 2, 2015

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Hakstol says college teams at disadvantage in recruiting wars with CHL

Image via WikipediaIf you haven't read this blog post by Roman Augustoviz, it's worth a look... Whether we want to admit it or not UND head coach Dave Hakstol is right, the NCAA teams have their hands tied behind their back and they are at a serious disadvantage when it comes to recruiting battles for the top blue chip recruits with the Canadian Hockey League teams.

Roman Augustoviz, The Roman Emprie --- Even though it was Minnesota week in Fargo [Grand Forks, ND], Hakstol spend a good deal of time talking about recruiting to the several hundred people at the luncheon. And he appears ready to lead a coaches' charge to weaken the CHL's ability to keep recruiting signed players.

"We lost a recruit this week," Hakstol said. "I don't want to talk about the young man and the family. I don't think that is a classy thing to do. Those things remain where they belong, and that is behind closed doors.

"We lost a pretty good potential player to our program. We lost one last summer as well. My mentality right now -- there is a good recruiting battle. It is fun when you get into recruiting battles with Wisconsin, Boston College, Michigan, with Duluth, with Minnesota.

"You go into those things and you are fully armed with the things you do well. And you can tell your story. Kids make good decisions after they take time to find the right spot for them.

"Now we have a second recruiting battle with the CHL," Hakstol said. "We are going in with our hands absolutely tied behind our backs. It's a one-way battle. We are not able to go up and recruit those players. [If] the CHL can get a young man to play one game or not even to play a game, just sign a contract. That player can no longer play college hockey.

Just to clear one point up, incase anyone is wondering  J.T. Miller and Stefan Matteau are both American players and played on the USA Under 18 USDT. Also, J.T. Miller was on the last USA WJC team.

The CHL vs. NCAA recruiting battle hasn't affected the Gophers much. They don't recruit Canadian players as much as UND does.