We Have a First

Defenseman Jordan Schmaltz of the Chicago Mission program is the first play to commit for the 2012-2013 season. Schmaltz made the commitment to the University of Wisconsin. With the Mission program of the Mid West Elite Hockey League last season, he had six goals and 14 assists in 29 games with the Bantam Majors team. He had one assist at the Select 15's.

It was funny, Monday night I was chatting with Ryan over at the Unofficial USHL Hockey Blog Monday night. We were talking about kids committing for the 2011-2012 season and how ridiculous it is. Now a day later we have a commitment for the 2012-2013 season.

How young is too young? I knew what I wanted to do with my life at that age but I wasn't thinking about college. Wisconsin is getting all these highly touted players, will there be enough ice time for everyone. It's still four years away but they have four defenseman already committed between 2009-2011.

It's also official that Bjorn Krupp is heading to the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. he was apart of the National Team Development Program Under 17 team last season. He had one goal and five assists in 63 contests. He was Belleville's second round pick in 2007. His father is former NHLer Uwe Krupp.

The Oshawa Generals have signed goaltender Kevin Bailie, their first round pick. With the Quinte Red Devils he appeard in 43 games and had a 1.81GAA and three shutouts.

With that signing, about half of the first rounders have been signed in the OHL.

I was told tonight that there was a rumor that defenseman Brad Walch might sign with the Saginaw Spirit. He played with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League where he had four assists in 53 games. His hometown is Saginaw. The Saginaw Spirit selected him in the fifth round of the 2007 draft.

His teammate with Des Moines, Josh Balch, committed to Yale. With Buccaneers last season, he had a two goals and an assist in 19 contests. This is commitment either for the 2009 or 2010 season.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)