Floridian Guertler making his mark in hockey country Photo: Fargo Force forward and 2013 NHL Draft prospect Gabe Guertler will begin his NCAA career in the fall of this year at the University of Minnesota (courtesy of Mitch Highman/mJoy Photography) Gabe Guertler is the first Floridian hockey player to commit to the University of Minnesota. Born and raised in Plantation, he grew up in South Florida near the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, home of the Florida Panthers, but says he spent most of his time underneath the sun. Yale coach a primary reason for Hayden’s interest in becoming a Bulldog Photo: U.S. NTDP forward and 2013 NHL Draft prospect John Hayden has caught the eye of scouts with his power forward potential (courtesy of Tom Sorensen) The name Yale typically brings to mind students in argyle sweaters walking to class on paved walkways with a spiral notebook in hand. Alumni of the university have gone on to be U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Justices and Academy Award winning actors. Samuel Morse and Eli Whitney call it their alma mater. Sinclair Lewis and Tom Wolfe do, as well. 2013 quartet hopes to improve standing of Waterloo Black Hawks Photo: Waterloo Black Hawks goaltender and 2013 NHL Draft prospect Eamon McAdam, shown here playing at the 2012 All-American Prospects Game, has recently improved his draft standing after a good performance at the USHL Top Prospects Game (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) The Waterloo Black Hawks have five of the 10 leading scorers in the USHL. They have two goaltenders that could easily be No. 1 starters on another team. They have one player that is considered the best 2013 draft-eligible player in American juniors right now. Love of the game passed on to Gothberg by grandmother Photo: University of North Dakota goaltender and Boston Bruins prospect Zane Gothberg has appeared in 11 games for UND in his freshman season (courtesy of Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images) On the back of University of North Dakota netminder Zane Gothberg’s helmet is a caricature of an elderly woman with long, curly hair, oversized oval-shaped earrings and large, black-rimmed glasses. She is holding a Diet Coke and has a sweater with UND ascribed across her chest. Below the picture are four words: Love you Grandma Susie. Matheson develops in winning culture of Boston College hockey Photo: Boston College defenseman and Florida Panthers prospect Mike Matheson is the top scoring defenseman on the BC roster (courtesy of Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images) When you’re a first round draft pick, expectations can be exceedingly high. The challenge of meeting such expectations can be even more daunting when you’re adjusting not only to a higher level of play, but also to a new culture that has established itself as a winner. Such has been the case for Boston College freshman defenseman, Michael Matheson. |
