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October
13, 2010
Recruiting Trail: Top 20 Defensemen
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Previous
Top Defensemen
2009:
Nick Leddy, Minnesota
2008: Aaron Ness, Minnesota
2007: Ryan McDonagh, Wisconsin
2006: Erik Johnson, Minnesota
2005: Jack Johnson, Michigan
2004: Alex Goligoski, Minnesota
2003: Ryan Suter, Wisconsin |
North Dakota figures prominently in these rankings
every year, but the Fighting Sioux have never had a player
top our list of incoming defensemen. Until now, that is.
U.S. National Team Development Program alum
Derek Forbort becomes the seventh WCHA defenseman in eight
seasons to assume the No. 1 position in our evaluation of
rookie blueliners. For what it's worth, five of the previous
top-rated rearguards are currently in the NHL — Ryan
Suter (Nashville), Alex Goligoski (Pittsburgh), Jack Johnson
(Los Angeles), Erik Johnson (St. Louis), and Nick Leddy (Chicago).
Inside College Hockey compiled its 2010 Recruiting
Rankings with input from college coaches and professional
scouts. Participants were asked to evaluate recruits based
on their projected impact at the college level, not on their
professional hockey prospects.
Also: Top
20 Forwards | Top
10 Goalies | Top
15 Classes
TOP
20 INCOMING DEFENSEMEN
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Name |
School |
Last
Team |
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Derek Forbort |
North Dakota |
U.S. NTDP |
The 15th overall pick
in June's NHL Draft scored five goals and added 23
assists for the U.S. NTDP last season.
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Adam Clendening |
Boston University |
U.S. NTDP |
Led U.S. team to World
Under-18 title last spring, tying for team lead in
scoring with 10 points.
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Justin Faulk |
Minnesota Duluth |
U.S. NTDP |
Scored 21 goals for the
U.S. NTDPers last season, 14 of them on the power
play.
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David Makowski |
Denver |
Green Bay (USHL) |
USHL Defenseman of the
Year had 18 goals and 23 assists in helping Green
Bay to regular-season and playoff titles.
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Stephen Johns |
Notre Dame |
U.S. NTDP |
At 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds,
will provide a physical presence for an Irish team
overhauling its blue line.
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Jon Merrill |
Michigan |
U.S. NTDP |
Puck-moving blueliner
had 25 assists for the NTDP last season.
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Nick Jensen |
St. Cloud State |
Green Bay (USHL) |
In two seasons with Green
Bay, scored 13 goals and 50 assists; a 2010 USHL All-Star.
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Kevin Gravel |
St. Cloud State |
Sioux City (USHL) |
A 2010 USHL All-Star,
Gravel's dad, Jim, played for the Huskies from 1977-81
and scored 101 career points.
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Dillon Simpson |
North Dakota |
Spruce Grove (AJHL) |
Alberta Junior Hockey
League Rookie of the Year scored 12-29—41 for
league regular-season and playoff champions.
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Mac Bennett |
Michigan |
Cedar Rapids (USHL) |
Named to the USHL All-Rookie
Team after putting up nine goals and 15 assists in
53 games for Cedar Rapids.
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Patrick Koudys |
Rensselaer |
Burlington (CCHL) |
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Wes McLeod |
Alaska Anchorage |
Prince George (BCHL) |
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Mark Alt |
Minnesota |
Cretin Derham Hall (Minn.) H.S. |
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Eamonn McDermott |
Colorado College |
Fargo (USHL) |
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Brice O'Connor |
Maine |
New Hampshire (EJHL) |
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Brendan Ellis |
Merrimack |
Westside (BCHL) |
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Justin Baker |
St. Lawrence |
Streetsville (CCHL) |
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Jordan Heywood |
Merrimack |
Victoria (BCHL) |
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Jamie Oleksiak |
Northeastern |
Chicago (BCHL) |
| 20. |
Michael Young |
Nebraska-Omaha |
Flin Flon (SJHL) |
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