Ethan Werek, a highly touted forward, has signed with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. Last month, he planned on playing for the Indiana ICE of the United States Hockey League this season. He was committed to Boston University for the Fall of 2009. The Frontenacs selected him in the ninth overall selection in the 2007 Draft.
Last season, he spent the year with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provinical Junior "A" Hockey League, he had 29 goals and 41 assists in 37 games played.
This is a big blow to the Indiana Ice and Boston University. He was suppose to play a big part for the Indiana Ice this season. It's a loss for the entire USHL. They had a story on him signing with ICE. Talking to Ryan who runs the Unofficial USHL Hockey Blog, he was excited to see Werek and Louis LeBlanc both playing in the USHL this season. LeBlanc is considered the top ranked Junior A player for the 2009 Draft.
Terrier fans were waiting his arrival because his close friend, Cory Trivino, will be a freshman this season. They played together in Stouffville. Werek was 1 of 2 players in the 2009 recruiting class. They are left scrambling to find talent for next year's freshman class. Will they take a chance on Jeremy Morin. Reading the reactions of Terrier fans, they aren't to happy because BU is a top notch program but the 2009 recruiting class has only one player.
What could be the reason Werek left for the OHL? I look at the season Trivino had last season with the Spirit. He had 19 goals and 50 assists in 39 games. He was a late second round, early third selection in the 2008 Draft at the end of season. He was the only Junior A player to play for Team Canada at the Under 18's where he had four goals and three assists. The Islanders selected him with the 36 overall pick.
I am sure Werek watch Trivino go through the Draft process and maybe thought he would get more exposure playing the OHL. There's some truth to that but at the same time NHL scouts flock to USHL games all year long. Taking a look at Werek's season more closely last year. He was named to Team Ontario at the World Under 17 Challenge but only put up two assists.
What I also find interesting is the fact he waited until the end of the preseason to join the team. It looks like he didn't want to take part in training camp. I am unsure when the ICE started their training camp but I think the players haven't been their long. He has no game action yet so expect him to be alittle rusty.
That's My Take
(Nathan can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)
Monday, September 8, 2008
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4 comments:
I can't say that I'm stunned by Werek going to OHL. Usually this is for 1 on 2 reasons.
One, Werek was unlikely to make it through the NCAA clearinghouse or suspected that he might have problems getting accepted to BU. Not saying this is the case with Werek, but lots of kids opt for the OHL instead of the USHL/NCAA route due to academic issues.
Or Two, Werek thinks that his NHL draft stock will be higher playing in the OHL than in the USHL. To that extent, I think pro teams prefer drafting kids from the OHL as compared to the USHL/NCAA (this with me being a USHL fan). By and large, kids put up bigger numbers in the OHL than do kids playing in the USHL. Most NHL teams prefer having players in the OHL compared to the USHL/NCAA as I think NHL teams feel they can better control development in the OHL as compared to the NCAA. Also, NHL teams always knock the NCAA for the lack of games played in a season.
Whatever the reason, I wish Werek the best of luck. Personally, I wish he had played in the USHL so I would have had the opportunity to watch him play in person.
Bottom line, if the kid has enough game and talent, he will get noticed regardless if he plays in the USHL or the OHL.
Tom
Wahoo, NE
Reason 2. Definitely not an academic issue with Werek.
Werek grades were good. At the Ice tryouts it was very clear he was here for a skate as he arrived a day late and was very clear that he was undecided on which route to go. In my opinion it was a ploy to get Kingston to trade his rights to another team in time for the upcoming season. Kingston held it's own and now Werek had no chioce but to report.
One last thought is Indiana's team bad this year and this made Werek leave
"Mavety said he got a call from Zeev Werek, Ethan's father, from Indianapolis last week. The senior Werek said his son was having second thoughts about the level of competition in the United States Hockey League. "
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1190720
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