2010 and 2011 Michigan Hockey Recruits

Luke Moffatt
Paradise Valley, AZ
Forward – 6’0, 190 lbs.
U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team
2009-10 Stats: 29 games, 8 goals, 8 assists, 14 PIM
2010 NHL Draft ranking: CSS #13 (USHL), THN #27 (Overall)

Luke Moffatt is a highly skilled forward who was selected #2 overall by Kelowna in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, but instead chose to move to Michigan to play for Compuware then join the U.S. National Team Development Program.

At one time he was considered one of the top prospects in his class, but after a slow start with the NTDP Under-17 Team last season, he has seen his stock drop a bit.  He finished the season strong, but again got off to a slow start with the Under-18 Team this season before starting to heat up.  Moffatt had just 10 points in 22 games to start this season, but has posted five goals and one assist over the past seven games.

Moffatt has got all the talent, as evident by how much Kelowna coveted him.  It’s just a matter of finding his groove and staying there consistently.

U-M head coach Red Berenson: “Boy, these kids are coming from all over now.  I always smile when I talk about it because I never dreamt we would be recruiting a kid from Arizona.  Luke is a kid who came out of the woodwork.  He showed up at the prospect camps and Mel Pearson really liked his skills and the kid wanted to come to Michigan.  He’s had Michigan on his mind before we ever met him, and those are the kids you’re glad they’re good enough and here they want to come to Michigan all along, and here is he from Arizona, so I think Luke will have a real good time here.”

Articles of interest

• 9/26/09 – USA is A-OK for these youngsters
• 9/26/08 – Moffatt brings passion as a youngster to U-17s
• 9/11/08 – U-M hockey recruit Moffatt ready to play for Wolverines
• 6/6/07 – Local youth finds way to WHL draft

Jacob Fallon
Southlake, TX
Forward – 5’10, 180 lbs.
U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team
2009-10 Stats: 4 games, Zero goals, 2 assists, 2 PIM

U-M head coach Red Berenson: “Jake’s, I think, a real good two-way centerman.  He’ll be good with the puck, good without the puck; a real solid player.”

Jon Merrill
Brighton, MI
Defenseman – 6’3, 205 lbs.
U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team
2009-10 Stats: 28 games, 4 goals, 16 assists, 8 PIM
2010 NHL Draft ranking: CSS #7 (USHL),  ISS #11 (Overall), THN #13 (Overall)

Merrill is a big, physical, mobile defenseman who is considered one of the top prospects for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.  A well rounded defensive player, Merrill is also starting to show a lot of potential at the offensive end of the ice.  His 16 assists leads all U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team players and his 20 points is tied for second on the team, just one point off the lead.  Merrill is one of two Under-18 Team defensemen selected to participate at the U.S. World Junior Camp in December and could make the final cut for the World Junior Championship squad.

U-M head coach Red Berenson: “Johnny is a terrific player.  He’s smooth skating; he’s a big time player.  He’s smart with the puck, he’s smart without the puck.  He’s going to be a delight for our fans to watch him develop here.”

U.S. NTDP U18 Team coach Kurt Kleinendorst: “As far as all-round defensemen go, he’s it. He’ll kill penalties and can be used on the power-play. He’s the kid you want out there in the last minute of the game because it’s rare to see him get himself in trouble. He uses his stick really well.”

Kevin Clare
New Rochelle, NY
Defenseman – 6’1, 200 lbs.
U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team
2009-10 Stats: 28 games, 2 goal,  1 assists, 39 PIM

U-M head coach Red Berenson: “Kevin is one of those out of state kids who was recruited into the program, and I would call him a real hard-nosed, defensive defenseman who can shoot the puck.  I think he’ll fit in really well in the CCHA and our team.”

Articles of interest

4/10/09 – Clare taking advantage of an opportunity

Mac Bennett
Warrick, RI
Defenseman – 5’11, 168 lbs.
Cedar Rapids Roughriders – United States Hockey League
2000-10 Stats: 20 games, 4 goal, 6 assist, 2 PIM, -1 rating
2009 NHL Draft: Montreal Canadiens – 3rd Round (79th overall)

Member of the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team that competed at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.

U-M head coach Red Berenson: “Mac is related to players that I played with and coached.  Curt Bennett and Harvey Bennett were NHL players and they were from Brown University, and their brother Bill had this young player Mac, who’s a good player.  Then as they got talking about him Curt says, “Well, you gotta call Red at Michigan.  You don’t want him going where we went,” and so on.  So I get a call from Bill Bennett and I thought it was just one of those calls about a kid that might not be that good but they were calling anyway, and boy, Billy Powers went and saw him and said this kid is dynamite, so he’s going to be an exciting defenseman.  I would call him a rushing offensive, solid defenseman.”

Articles of interest

12/12/09 – Bennett wins it in OT for Riders, 4-3
11/20/09 – Q&A with Mac Bennett
9/7/09 – Camp Notebook: Mac Bennett
6/27/09 – Mac Bennett picked by Canadiens

Derek Deblois
East Greenwich, RI
Forward – 5’10, 177 lbs.
Cedar Rapids Roughriders – United States Hockey League
2000-10 Stats: 22 games, 6 goals, 9 assists, 22 PIM, +3 rating

Member of the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team that competed at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.

Alex Guptill (2011)
Newmarket, Ontario
Forward – 6’3, 183 lbs.
Orangeville (Central Canadian Hockey League)
2009-10 Stats (Brampton): 10 games, 6 goals, 5 assists, 24 PIM
2009-10 Stats (Orangeville): 8 games, 6 goals, 7 assists, 6 PIM

Guptill started the season with Brampton before being acquired by Orangeville on December 4.  The big forward has not disappointed the Crushers with 13 points in 8 games, which is on the same points per game pace as Orangeville’s scoring leader.  Head coach Dale Hawerchuk said he’s an “explosive” player.  His size and scoring ability will be welcomed in Ann Arbor and as a 2010/11 recruit, he definitely could be an option next season to replace Robbie Czarnik’s spot.  Lord knows we could use more big scoring forwards in Ann Arbor right about now!

Articles of interest

12/17/09 – Two Crushers draw NHL eyes

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For a full list of college recruits, visit Chris Heisenberg’s NCAA Hockey Recruits