Monday, October 23, 2006

'07 Recruit Update: Kane Lafranchise

Kane Lafranchise is currently the second highest scoring defenseman in the AJHL. After just 18 games this season Kane has 4 goals and 11 assists for the Spruce Grove Saints. In 60 games last season he had 7 goals and 13 assists so it's pretty clear he's progressing well. So far, Kane is currently the only "official" player coming to the Seawolves next season. It's still a few weeks until the NCAA's fall signing period and any announcement from the school. That's when we'll see the fruits of Damon Whitten and Campbell Blair's many recruiting trips. The Seawolves will lose 2 defenseman and 3 forwards to graduation at the end of this year. Many of the top "ranked" players in the various Jr. leagues are already committed to schools but there are still some gems that are as yet to make a decision for next season.

One player I've had my eye on since last season is Kevin Clark's teammate from last years Winnipeg squad. Jason Gregoire moved on this season from the Manitoba league to the USHL and it's reported that he is being recruited by UND, DU and Wisconsin. I'm thinking that Kevin Clark's presence would be some sort of "in" for UAA to at least get him to consider coming here. There is also a quality local goaltender that the staff might have talked with. Bryce Christianson of the USHL's Tri-City Storm is the son of former Seawolf Todd Christianson has a win and a loss in two games with a .886 sv%. The highest placed Anchorage kid in the BCHL is defenseman Cody Butcher who has scored 5 goals with 12 assists in 18 games for Merritt.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hopefully we can get Bryce to come up here and play. Every year it seams that I hear rumors of Lawson wanting to leave early for a pro/semi-pro team. Bryce is a local kid who from my understanding has a lot of talent. Also it seems like I heard rumors last year that Maine was doing some heavy recruiting for the kid, and now we have an assistant who might have been doing that recruiting. Hopefully we can get him and some other good recruits although we really aren't in dire need with a good and large class that has just come in.

Donald Dunlop said...

I think whether Lawson stays or goes after this season that it's a good idea to be looking at replacement. I didn't make mention in the post but another local kid that they definitely should be looking at is William Rapuzzi though his age would most likely make him an 08 (or even 09) recruit.

Anonymous said...

do we know anything about JJ Waldrop, how old and how good is he? Merit is a good player, with 5 assists already and we know he can snipe so the goals should come. It seems like the little brothers are usually better.

Donald Dunlop said...

I haven't done any research on Merit's little brother so I don't even know his age. I also didn't mention David Carle as I assume he is a lock to go to DU.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if David Carle is a lock for DU, but I am not sure what he will do after we yelled at his brother for being a traitor last year (of course I have no idea who would start those mean cheers).

DC said...

That's certainly a tough name to live up to.

Let me clarify... For those of you who don't "Parlez Francais," Lafranchise means "The Franchise."

Donald Dunlop said...

I guess I started it ... but this whole french tangent is "tres" disturbing.

Anonymous said...

Donald, one the wolves have NO chance at Jason Gregoire as he has offers from UND and St. Cloud on the table and is making a decision on those two schools. Two Bryce Christianson is getting strong looks from UND also. Three Cody Butcher is a defenceman not a forward but having a strong season and David Carle will be going big time to one of the top teams in the WCHA ( Denver, Minnesota, CC, Wisconsin or UND as all those schools have been targeting him since his overseas trip this past summer.) Rapuzzi is a nice player who is playing down in hockey central and is not a secret after his summer work at the select camp.

Donald Dunlop said...

Anon@8:35
Thanks for the updates/corrections. I knew if I mentioned names I'd might end up looking stupid but I've been watching Gregoire since last year and was "hoping".

I'll make the correction on Butcher ... he was in my mind as a D so I don't know why I typed forward.

Unfortunately for me I don't get any "tips" about incoming players so speculation on those things is not the smartest thing for me to do.

As to Rapuzzi I'm aware at least that he isn't a secret. I'm just hopeful that local elite players will want to stay home and help build a winning tradition here.

I'm itching to hear who UAA adds to the 07 class and let my imagination get the best of me.

DC said...

That was more a Chris Farley reference than a continuation of the French tangent. It wouldn't make as much sense if I used "Habla Espanol." Not that it made much sense.

Donald Dunlop said...

Oh ... I didn't get it. I've never seen Joe Dirt.

DC said...

Neither have I, it was on SNL.

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