Ben Marshall-Defensemen or Forward?

[High Flyer]

I've had the pleasure of watching Mr. Marshall over the last two years. I believe his first 2-3 steps may be the quickest I have ever seen, definatly at the 92 birth year and I would include the 91 birth year. He has excellent top end speed, excellent skating and hand skills, sees the ice extremly well and has a scores touch. The only knock, does not yet have the size (hopefully that will change)

I see he was rated 200 something for the upcomming draft as a defensmen, but what if he was playing as a forward, do you think he would be ranked higher?

Does anyone think that the Gophers will move him to forward?

[BodyShots]

I remember in the old days they used to play Larry Olimb at both defense and forward. In my opinion, they should be playing Ness at forward also, He is just too small, and a defensive liability in the de zone against the bigger kids of the WCHA.

If Ben doesn't grow, he should be moved to forward as well. Let's hope he grows

[25 sheet power]

really u think Ness is a Liability? he has the best +/- of any D on the team. Yes at times last year and early this year he gets beat up in the corners. but his speed gives him such a advantage. He is turning out to be a very good D man.

[youngblood08]

really u think Ness is a Liability? he has the best +/- of any D on the team. Yes at times last year and early this year he gets beat up in the corners. but his speed gives him such a advantage. He is turning out to be a very good D man.


Well thats not saying much. It's a Team game and he is a weak link in the chain. He gets out Muscled in the Defensive Zone which causes more problems when the center or his partner has to drop down and help with coverage. Why do you think they have such a hard time getting the puck out of the zone?

As for Marshall lets just hope he holds up, his shoulder is an issue and we all saw what a big defensemen that can skate can do to him. SCC game at State last year. He might just be another great high school player and thats the end of the road.

[breakout]

I saw him play in the Elite League. I didn't know he played defense. One game I saw he had to be - 3. He jumped in the play almost every time which left his partner hanging out to dry. Maybe his partner thanked him for all of the 2 and 3 on one practice.

He may be a late puberty guy. Look at Mom and Dad. That can be a pretty good indicator for size.

[youngblood08]

Dad is a "whispy fellow". Lets just say that I could see a pretty good arguement between Marshall and Ness as to who was smaller as a freshmen.

[breakout]

One last thing, if he is a late puberty guy I hope Don has him slated to play at least one year of JR. If not, he will likely have a tough time adjusting and won't be as valuable to the Gophs.

[breakout]

Dad is a "whispy fellow". Lets just say that I could see a pretty good arguement between Marshall and Ness as to who was smaller as a freshmen.

Ness had a tough time his freshman year. He came in at apx. 165 lbs and that may be kind.

Hopefully young Ben take the path to Jr. and plays a year or two in that environment so he can maximize his physical development.

[Gopher Blog]

I don’t know what the plan would be with him. Certainly his Central Scouting ranking is mainly due to the size he has at the position he plays. A full time spot at forward might be worth it. I guess it just depends on the way everybody agrees is the best move for the long run.

He is certainly a very dynamic player. If anything, they could always put him back on the point for the power play and play him at forward at other times.

Ness is very much the same way. Although I think Ness takes a little more criticism than he sometimes has deserved because his team on the whole hasn’t performed to the level it should. For instance, Jake Gardiner’s overall game has not really progressed as much as expected this year with UW (I know he has been a little dinged up)… but his team is doing well so something like that gets overlooked a bit easier.

[youngblood08]

I don’t know what the plan would be with him. Certainly his Central Scouting ranking is mainly due to the size he has at the position he plays. A full time spot at forward might be worth it. I guess it just depends on the way everybody agrees is the best move for the long run.

He is certainly a very dynamic player. If anything, they could always put him back on the point for the power play and play him at forward at other times.

Ness is very much the same way. Although I think Ness takes a little more criticism than he sometimes has deserved because his team on the whole hasn’t performed to the level it should. For instance, Jake Gardiner’s overall game has not really progressed as much as expected this year with UW (I know he has been a little dinged up)… but his team is doing well so something like that gets overlooked a bit easier.

Kind of goes hand in hand doesn't it? Maybe he is one of the reasons they are performing that way. The problem is he came out of high school already christened the next Neil Broten. And thats where the heavy backlash on criticism comes from.

[Gopher Blog]

Kind of goes hand in hand doesn't it? Maybe he is one of the reasons they are performing that way. The problem is he came out of high school already christened the next Neil Broten. And thats where the heavy backlash on criticism comes from.

Neal Broten? Not sure who made that comparison given the difference in positions, etc. Not to mention, it is mostly HS fans that make those kinds of statements. Not the kid himself. Why criticize him more for comparisons he didn't create himself?

I am not absolving Ness of any fault. I am simply saying I think he takes more than he should. I can point to a number of other guys ahead of Ness that I would put more responsibility on right now.

[gomnhky]

I see both of these players (Marshall and Ness) being similiar in many ways and both probably being better served as forwards, strictly because of their size/strength being an issue at the next level. And why Aaron Ness did not play a year (or two) of juniors is questionable as well. I would hope the same mistake would not be made with Ben Marshall. It is not an insult to their talent but more for the benefit of continued development, particularly on the strength side of things, so that they are better prepared to play and contribute right away at the next level. I do not understand the urgency, but that's for another day, of getting these players to the college ranks right from high school, unless they have the full package and yes, if they are a projected high draft pick (which I think can also be argued as not always being good rationale either). What is the benefit of watching and waiting to develop these players during their college tenure when they would be much better prepared to be impact players after playing in the USHL. This to me, is just one, of many problems the current Gopher program is experiencing. But back to the original discussion... I think Ben would be a better forward than a defenseman at the next level and he certainly plays like that's his preferred position as well.

[breakout]

Kind of goes hand in hand doesn't it? Maybe he is one of the reasons they are performing that way. The problem is he came out of high school already christened the next Neil Broten. And thats where the heavy backlash on criticism comes from.

Neal Broten? Not sure who made that comparison given the difference in positions, etc. Not to mention, it is mostly HS fans that make those kinds of statements. Not the kid himself. Why criticize him more for comparisons he didn't create himself?

I am not absolving Ness of any fault. I am simply saying I think he takes more than he should. I can point to a number of other guys ahead of Ness that I would put more responsibility on right now.

Ness has improved and is better than he was last year.

I believe both Ness and Marshall are converted forwards.

[Goldfishdude]

Let's not forget that Ness should only be a freshman this year, since he took accelerated classes.

Remember folks..... This is The Don's call. if he didn't want Ness or Marshall to come in right away and play juniors instead, he would have them play juniors.

Look at two fellow WBL kids.... Both Taylor Johnson and Jake Hansen left WBL after junior year and went to go play junior hockey. Jake played one year, before heading to the Gophs and Taylor played at couple years in Green Bay, I believe, before securing a spot with St. Cloud, and is getting plenty of ice time with the Huskies, as a 5'9" defenseman.

I was told the combination of the physical and mental maturation playing juniors was the key to Johnson's development.

[breakout]

Let's not forget that Ness should only be a freshman this year, since he took accelerated classes.

Remember folks..... This is The Don's call. if he didn't want Ness or Marshall to come in right away and play juniors instead, he would have them play juniors.

Look at two fellow WBL kids.... Both Taylor Johnson and Jake Hansen left WBL after junior year and went to go play junior hockey. Jake played one year, before heading to the Gophs and Taylor played at couple years in Green Bay, I believe, before securing a spot with St. Cloud, and is getting plenty of ice time with the Huskies, as a 5'9" defenseman.

I was told the combination of the physical and mental maturation playing juniors was the key to Johnson's development.

Some people make a big deal about Ness's accelerating high school. I believe Ness is a 90 birth year. He could have been in the grade he accelerated through. For example, Birkholz, Budish and Leddy are all 91s and playing for the U as freshman.

Is Marshall definitely set to come right out of high school? Things can change depending on who leaves, development, etc.

[packerpuck19]

I do believe that Marshall has all the demographics of a forward. I believe that is where he will play for the Gophs. As far as Ness, I see him as a Defensman through and through. Whatever happened to the days that Freshman were 18 years old anyway. I think that Juniors should be used for the guys that are on the cusp (talent wise) of the D1 level, but not quite there, regardless of size. I believe that Ness has developed very naturally through the last 2 years. In my opinion as he should be. There are countless 5'10" Defensmen in the NHL. He is getting thicker in the past couple years and he will continue to get bigger as long as he puts the work in. We put far too much expectations on our College freshman lately at the U because we dont have any upper classman to look at to contribute. We expected Ness as a freshman to look like Goligoski as a Junior. If the talent is there they should be at that level regardless of size. Let them learn to adjust on there own. You dont tell a first year bantam to play another year of Pee Wees because he didnt get his growth spurt yet. On top of all else I believe that the approach to go straight to D1 from High School is great in the fact that they will be much more likely to play for four years and finish with a Degree, and take there abilities wherever they take them from there. Juniors is far overrated. In my eyes it gives some of these kids too much of an ego coming into College, and then they think they are the best the world has seen, and are more apt to leaving early.

[newsguy35]

[quote="packerpuck19"]I do believe that Marshall has all the demographics of a forward. I believe that is where he will play for the Gophs. As far as Ness, I see him as a Defensman through and through. Whatever happened to the days that Freshman were 18 years old anyway. I think that Juniors should be used for the guys that are on the cusp (talent wise) of the D1 level, but not quite there, regardless of size. I believe that Ness has developed very naturally through the last 2 years. In my opinion as he should be. There are countless 5'10" Defensmen in the NHL. He is getting thicker in the past couple years and he will continue to get bigger as long as he puts the work in. We put far too much expectations on our College freshman lately at the U because we dont have any upper classman to look at to contribute. We expected Ness as a freshman to look like Goligoski as a Junior. If the talent is there they should be at that level regardless of size. Let them learn to adjust on there own. You dont tell a first year bantam to play another year of Pee Wees because he didnt get his growth spurt yet. On top of all else I believe that the approach to go straight to D1 from High School is great in the fact that they will be much more likely to play for four years and finish with a Degree, and take there abilities wherever they take them from there. Juniors is far overrated. In my eyes it gives some of these kids too much of an ego coming into College, and then they think they are the best the world has seen, and are more apt to leaving early.[/quote]

I agreed with most of what you said until the end with Jr's being overrated and an ego. The ego is actually the HS kids going in right away. Certain colleges will not take kids who have not played atleast 1 year of Jr's. I like that. I also believe that the ego from the HS players is what forces coaches hands... Would Ness have signed a letter of intent to the U if Don told him to play a year of Jr's? I believe the gophs lost Stalock for the same reason...

[johnnyquest]

Is the transition from "d" to forward easier than the transition from forward to "d" ?

If memory serves me, Marshall made the national camp for the select 15's as a forward and made the national camp for the select 16's as a defensemen.

[hs hockey fan]

Did marshall sign with the gophers because I saw that he just told lucia he will play for him

[Buck50]

[quote="hs hockey fan"]Did marshall sign with the gophers because I saw that he just told lucia he will play for him[/quotehatTIe

That is if Lucia is still the coach. The way the wcha is now, guys that are 5'8" 140 better go play juniors and hope they grow, no matter how talented. He is a forward. Mahtomedi just plays him at d so he can be on the ice catching his wind between rushes.

[RushnCircles]

140 pounds ! come on "buck50" - I bet he is at least. . . . a buck 50

[Buck50]

140 pounds ! come on "buck50" - I bet he is at least. . . . a buck 50

Very good

[High Flyer]

Did marshall sign with the gophers because I saw that he just told lucia he will play for him[/quotehatTIe

That is if Lucia is still the coach. The way the wcha is now, guys that are 5'8" 140 better go play juniors and hope they grow, no matter how talented. He is a forward. Mahtomedi just plays him at d so he can be on the ice catching his wind between rushes.

He was confirmed @ 5'8½"/157 during Lucia's Model Camp last June and I'm pretty sure he has thickened up some sense then. I think he will continue to get stronger, which will give him some more musle mass, as he is still just a junior. I don't think he's done growing upwards yet either.

Side note, for comparison sake, Jordan Schroeder is listed at 5' 9" 180, and was a first round draft pick. He wasn't always 5' 9" and 180.

I personally think Marshall has greater potential to play at the next level (beyound D1) playing forward vs. defensemen and hope the Gophers move him up. Not a problem now, beacause he plays like a forward from the defensive position.

[25 sheet power]

I liked what i saw of him at the Elite League. And he was actually Making some nice hits. Witch I didn't see a lot of from any other D. The Few weekends I watched

[25 sheet power]

I liked what i saw of him at the Elite League. And he was actually Making some nice hits. Witch I didn't see a lot of from any other D. The Few weekends I watched