Chaz and Cruz Lucius commit to Gophers

[zamboniexhaustinhaler]

New wrinkle in this saga - the older boy is repeating 8th grade.

oopsy !

[Crusty]

Why are you even talking about little kids committing to the U, you can't be serious?

[JDUBBS1280]

Seems like the Gentleman's Agreement is going by the wayside.

"For years, college coaches mostly adhered to a gentleman’s agreement in recruiting. Once a player committed to a school, other schools stopped recruiting him. Not always, but generally speaking. Lucia said that practice is “fading.”

http://www.startribune.com/how-young-is ... 443487013/

That's why I used the word "IF".

Also, after Lucia and other big name programs came out against the gentleman's agreement, a whole slew of programs committed to upholding it... including UND, UMD, and SCSU. The fate of the GA may be sealed, but it's not entirely dead yet. Lucia basically just said, "I'm coming for your recruits, feel free to come for mine."

[JDUBBS1280]

Just my personal opinion, Nothing against the kids, They don't know any better. but actions like this sure make me lose respect for the U of MN program.

You may as well lose respect for the entire system then because it isn't just one school.

Exactly. I find it comical that anyone would push blame at the most vocal coach for wanting changes in the recruiting process.

You can't expect Lucia to stand by and let other programs continue to recruit top talent younger and younger. Expecting him to recruit with one hand tied behind his back is asinine.

The NCAA needs to make changes. Not just for hockey, but all sports. It happens in all sports.

And if you are going to blame Lucia, how about criticism for Bob Motzko who just recently said the NCAA has no business twlling parents when too young is too young.

And if you are genuinely concerned about recruiting age, you shouldn't support the gentleman's agreement. Let schools recruit players all the way up until the kids sign a LOI and there will be no rush by schools to get verbals.

[JDUBBS1280]

I would imagine other programs might be receptive to their inquiries too, but if they are abiding by the Gentlemen's Agreement, they won't extend an offer until the player has publicly de-committed.

Seems like the Gentleman's Agreement is going by the wayside.

"For years, college coaches mostly adhered to a gentleman’s agreement in recruiting. Once a player committed to a school, other schools stopped recruiting him. Not always, but generally speaking. Lucia said that practice is “fading.”

http://www.startribune.com/how-young-is ... 443487013/

Good

[JDUBBS1280]

What bugs me most about this is that when the kids get to be 18-20 and it comes time to trot off to college, the college doesn't have to honor that commitment, hence all the over recruiting that some programs do. Looking at Chris Heisenberg's recruit list, last year there were teams that had 15+ recruits listed to come in THIS YEAR alone.

"Sorry, we don't have a spot for you, but hopefully you can hook up with another team before you age out...."

Exactly. It is actually a bigger risk for the kids.

The gentleman's agreement is equally bad for the kids. Once you verbally commit to a program, most programs stear clear. Kids that want to change their minds later on or are repeatedly delayed by schools don't have as good of an idea of what other schools might be interested.

[JDUBBS1280]

Anybody else have/had kids this age, pre-puberty through the teen years? Yeah, me too. There is A LOT of stuff that happens through those years and A LOT of things change. I've heard these kids names over the years and I'm sure they are very good, even elite youth hockey players, but it's a long road through the next 5-7 years.

This reminds me of the conversation between Mike Modano and Gordon Bombay in the Mighty Ducks movie when Modano said that Bombay "killed it in Pee Wees". Umm, if you've ever played the game you know that wasn't a compliment.

Oliver Wahlstrom committed to Maine at 14 (Harvard commit now), was really hyped when he first committed, and is having a great game tonight in the All America Prospects game tonight.

[JDUBBS1280]

New wrinkle in this saga - the older boy is repeating 8th grade.

How classy of you.

[Bonin2121]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

[Corn Cobb]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

Never thought of that. You may very well be correct.

[zamboniexhaustinhaler]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

[Jeffy95]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

Never thought of that. You may very well be correct.

Do you mean MSHSL? Once you start 7th Grade repeating a grade doesn't get you an extra year. He would be out of eligibility after his Junior year. Not sure how this would help him from a Hockey standpoint, must be some other reason if true.

[thespellchecker]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

Never thought of that. You may very well be correct.

Do you mean MSHSL? Once you start 7th Grade repeating a grade doesn't get you an extra year. He would be out of eligibility after his Junior year. Not sure how this would help him from a Hockey standpoint, must be some other reason if true.

What? How does one get into U of M w/out "elite" academics?

[Bonin2121]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

Never thought of that. You may very well be correct.

Do you mean MSHSL? Once you start 7th Grade repeating a grade doesn't get you an extra year. He would be out of eligibility after his Junior year. Not sure how this would help him from a Hockey standpoint, must be some other reason if true.

But he has never played MSHSL as far as I know, so 8th-12th will be one more year than 9th-12th.

[MNHockeyFan]

What? How does one get into U of M w/out "elite" academics?

Don't laugh, we have a daughter who was initially wait-listed at the U despite having very good grades and an ACT score of 31. Funny thing was she was accepted right away at Wisconsin and Michigan...

[BP]

New wrinkle in this saga - the older boy is repeating 8th grade.

How classy of you.

[BP]

An extra year for dad to try to recruit enough for a tourney run.

Actually - mom.

[Jeffy95]

Never thought of that. You may very well be correct.

Do you mean MSHSL? Once you start 7th Grade repeating a grade doesn't get you an extra year. He would be out of eligibility after his Junior year. Not sure how this would help him from a Hockey standpoint, must be some other reason if true.

But he has never played MSHSL as far as I know, so 8th-12th will be one more year than 9th-12th.

I don't think it matters if he's played or not. Once you are a 7th grader, you have 6 seasons to play JV or Varsity sports, starting then. Pretty sure he could only play until he was a Junior. No idea if he's even planning on playing High School. If the kid is as good as they say I can't imagine he would be trying to get more time in High School.

[blueline_6]

Do you mean MSHSL? Once you start 7th Grade repeating a grade doesn't get you an extra year. He would be out of eligibility after his Junior year. Not sure how this would help him from a Hockey standpoint, must be some other reason if true.

But he has never played MSHSL as far as I know, so 8th-12th will be one more year than 9th-12th.

I don't think it matters if he's played or not. Once you are a 7th grader, you have 6 seasons to play JV or Varsity sports, starting then. Pretty sure he could only play until he was a Junior. No idea if he's even planning on playing High School. If the kid is as good as they say I can't imagine he would be trying to get more time in High School.

So he could play HS through his Junior year, then Senior year play juniors. He uses up his HS eligibility and gets a year of juniors in before graduating HS. Just one thought. I'm sure it's all part of the plan, this family has always had a plan to reach the end-goal and the resources to back that plan.

[yesiplayedhockey]

I don't see this happening

If they became a private high school program with a majority of kids being 03's, they would have a very tough time competing even at the Class A level for first couple years. Plus I believe the restrictions put on Minnesota high school hockey isn't consistent with their hockey training

I'm betting they will stay far away from Minnesota High School hockey and stick to the "other" league (Tier 1).

[blueline_6]

According to their website they plan to compete in MSHSL

http://gentrystars.com/

[MWS coach]

New wrinkle in this saga - the older boy is repeating 8th grade.

Not sure where you get your information but it is incorrect. He was in 7th grade last year. Both brothers have always been in the same grade. He just started 8th grade this year for the first time. NO REPEAT

As far as HS, yes they are a coop and will play A, not just 03's in the program, also older and younger team.

[JDUBBS1280]

New wrinkle in this saga - the older boy is repeating 8th grade.

Not sure where you get your information but it is incorrect. He was in 7th grade last year. Both brothers have always been in the same grade. He just started 8th grade this year for the first time. NO REPEAT

As far as HS, yes they are a coop and will play A, not just 03's in the program, also older and younger team.

Thanks for clearing this up.

Good thing some people rushed to ridicule the kid.

Emphasis on "kid".

[The Exiled One]

That's why I used the word "IF".

Also, after Lucia and other big name programs came out against the gentleman's agreement, a whole slew of programs committed to upholding it... including UND, UMD, and SCSU. The fate of the GA may be sealed, but it's not entirely dead yet. Lucia basically just said, "I'm coming for your recruits, feel free to come for mine."

_

Not sure why you replied to me with those comments. I was discussing the GA, not recruiting age. Yes, Motzko is willing to recruit young, but he still honors the GA.

[The Exiled One]

According to their website they plan to compete in MSHSL

http://gentrystars.com/

There are three teams. My assumption is that the Tier 1 team (Galaxy) is their top team. The Stars are their MSHSL team, which I believe is their second level team. They also have the Astros, which are generic AAA teams.

Until recently, you couldn't be on a HS team and a Tier 1 team in the same season, but Minnesota Hockey worked out that "before & after" deal so that we'd have more participants in the national tournament than just Shattuck. I'm not sure if that would apply to Gentry, but I doubt it. I think the high schoolers will have to choose between MSHSL and Tier 1. I don't think they'll be able to do both. I could be wrong.