The Wisconsin Badgers have one of the most talented rosters in college hockey this upcoming season, and Tony Granato’s staff is primed to keep that momentum going next season, with a class that includes 4.5-star defenseman Daniel Laatsch for 2020.
Laatsch is a massive defender (6-foot-4) who is also a Wisconsin native. The Badgers don’t have any senior defensemen on their roster, but it seems the staff is preparing for the potential losses of players to the NHL after this season, including former first-round pick K’Andre Miller.
“Big, long reach, good stride, feet could be quicker but big guys take longer,” our scouts noted. “Rarely out of position and shuts down plays well with stick pressure. Physical on walls and shutting down forecheckers. Excellent active stick, didn’t try to do too much with puck and was menace on the PK.”
Laatsch is in his second season for the U.S. NTDP this season and already has six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in five total games. Last season he appeared in 75 total games for Team USA, posting eight goals and five assists.
2001-born forward Joe Larson committed to Northern Michigan for 2021. Larson is off to a hot start in his rookie BCHL campaign with Chilliwack, posting nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in eight games. Larson is a Michigan native who has come up through the local system, playing for Little Caesar’s and Compuware as well as Hartland High School.
3.5-star defenseman Lucas Erickson committed to St. Lawrence for 2020. The 6-foot-1 defender is a Minnesota native who is currently in his second season for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the NAHL. Prior to the Ice Dogs, Erickson played for the Iowa Wild AAA team and before that played locally for Woodbury High School and the Minnesota Blades midget program.
Staying in the ECAC, Colgate added 3.75-star forward Ryan McGuire for 2021. McGuire is coming off a 29-point season for Belmont Hill last season and will be a USHL rookie with the Madison Capitals this season.
“He is a great skater who uses his edges really well,” said our scouts. “McGuire possesses a great deal of speed and can maneuver around defenders with ease. He wants the puck on his stick and skates confidently when he has it. He always has his head up surveying the ice for options. He has great hands and likes to show them off throughout the game. He has a good shot and can pick corners. McGuire has plenty of upside to tap into and will be a player to follow in the USHL this coming season as the competition takes a step up.”
Harvard received a commitment from 3.75-star forward Mason Langenbrunner. The ’02 is playing for Team North in the UMHSEHL and will be a key player for Eden Prairie High this winter.
Air Force added a key piece for its future in 3.75-star forward Austin Schwartz for 2021. Schwartz is a Colorado native who is off to a nice start for the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) this season, posting five points in six games. Schwartz spent some time with the Bobcats last season (5 games) but came up through the Colorado Thunderbirds program, playing Bantam AAA, U15, U16 and U18 over the last four seasons.
Air Force also added defenseman Jasper Lester for 2021. Another Colorado native, Lester has one goal in four games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs this season after playing for the Colorado Rampage organization for the last five seasons.
Lake Superior State has high hopes coming off a 23-win season and the Lakers used some of that momentum to land 3.5-star defenseman Grant Hindman for 2021. An ’02, Hindman skated at USA Hockey’s Select 16 and Select 17 camp the last two seasons and is in his rookie season for the Janesville Jets (NAHL) after playing the last four seasons for Little Caesar’s in his home state of Michigan.
“Grant is a solid player who plays a sound defensive game as he is aggressive and plays physical game on the opponent,” said our scouts. “He makes accurate passes and will lead the rush using his strong skating and stick handling skills.”
