Rodger Craig of the Okotoks Oilers committed to Cornell for 2010. He's 17 years old, the youngest player on the Oilers. He's 6'4", 215lbs and is a "B" ranked prospect (rounds 3-5) for the upcoming NHL draft.
This article was written about him a few days before he went to play in the CJHL prospects game for Team West (he scored a goal):
http://ajhl.ca/news/2008/12/13/ajhl-prospect-flying-high/
It sounds like he had a great time on his visit and committed soon after.
Here's another article about him:
http://okotoksoilers.blogspot.com/2008/12/rodger-craig-in-prospects-game.html
A couple interesting tidbits from both articles:
Quote"I'm a grinder-type, but I put in a couple tonight," Craig said "I like to hit, go in the corners and get the puck out. I used to score when I was a little kid, but ever since I was a Peewee, I've been a grinder."
Quote"Cornell was great," Craig told me. "I flew down on a Saturday through Chicago to Syracuse, NY where they picked me up and drove me to Ithaca. We arrived in Ithaca in time for the game between Cornell and St. Lawrence University. The arena was jammed and the crowd was insane. Half of the crowd was students and I don't think any of them sat down the whole game. They were chanting and cheering all game long. And Cornell won it 1-0. The team's only lost one game so far this season to North Dakota and former Okotoks Oiler Brad Eidsness."
"After the game I went out with some of the players including Taylor Davenport who played for Drumheller. Then on Sunday morning, my cousin, Amanda Young, who's from Lacombe and plays on the Cornell women's team, took me around the campus. After that I met with Coach Mike Schaefer and the rest of the staff. I was able to hang out at the rink in the afternoon and meet some of the players and then I came home on Monday."
"The coaches were great. They made me feel very welcomed. They told me they wanted me to attend Cornell in the fall of 2010 which gives me another year to play in Okotoks. I'm OK with that. I will have another year to get bigger and stronger physically. And academically, I'd like to take medicine. My goal is to be a team doctor for an NHL team – if, of course, I can't make it as a player."
I like this guy a lot.
[quote sah67]A couple interesting tidbits from both articles:
Quote"I'm a grinder-type, but I put in a couple tonight," Craig said "I like to hit, go in the corners and get the puck out. I used to score when I was a little kid, but ever since I was a Peewee, I've been a grinder."
Awesome!!!! Another roll player. ;-)
[quote Rita][quote sah67]A couple interesting tidbits from both articles:
"I'm a grinder-type, but I put in a couple tonight," Craig said "I like to hit, go in the corners and get the puck out. I used to score when I was a little kid, but ever since I was a Peewee, I've been a grinder."[/quote]
Awesome!!!! Another roll player. ;-)[/quote]
In all seriousness, somebody has to dig the puck out of the corners.
And the team continues to get bigger. The incoming players for the next few years look like "impact classes" in several senses.
http://okotoksoilers.com/?page=currentnews
"Not only is he an exceptional athlete, he is also a brilliant student who thrives on academic excellence."
Okotok Soilers?
[quote ugarte]Okotok Soilers?[/quote]
Got your space in the wrong place, its the Okotoks Oilers which makes more sense.If it was your way I guess their logo could be a dirty diaper.
[quote Jacob '06][quote ugarte]Okotok Soilers?[/quote]
Got your space in the wrong place, ...[/quote]
Um... thanks.
[quote ugarte]Okotok Soilers?[/quote]
I read it the same way. ::looking::
8 goals, 10 assists and 47 PIM in 45 games so far this season. Hmm.
[quote Jeff Hopkins '82]8 goals, 10 assists and 47 PIM in 45 games so far this season. Hmm.[/quote]
I think you are being unfair, Jeff. He is the youngest guy on the team (excluding two players who have played five games between them). I expect he'll put up much better numbers in his age-18 season.
In addition, he has the skill set to help execute the puck-possession game. As I mentioned last month, he can dig the puck out of corners. He'll should also be effective at keeping the puck along the wall in the offensive zone when trying to protect a small third-period lead.
He also has shown signs of being a team leader (http://www.highrivertimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1321711&auth=+JOHN+MacNEIL+TIMES+EDITOR), despite being the youngest guy on the team.
[quote cbuckser][quote Jeff Hopkins '82]8 goals, 10 assists and 47 PIM in 45 games so far this season. Hmm.[/quote]
I think you are being unfair, Jeff. He is the youngest guy on the team (excluding two players who have played five games between them). I expect he'll put up much better numbers in his age-18 season.
In addition, he has the skill set to help execute the puck-possession game. As I mentioned last month, he can dig the puck out of corners. He'll should also be effective at keeping the puck along the wall in the offensive zone when trying to protect a small third-period lead.
He also has shown signs of being a team leader (http://www.highrivertimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1321711&auth=+JOHN+MacNEIL+TIMES+EDITOR), despite being the youngest guy on the team.[/quote]
Quote from: High River Times"Rodger will give 110 per cent all the time. He never takes a shift off. He's just one of the best guys you'll ever meet in the dressing room. He's only 17, but yet, he's one of our leaders on our team. Just a Class A guy. You couldn't find a better guy."
Sounds good to me.
Just sayin' that it's something he needs to look out for. I realize (now) he's still got some seasoning time ahead of him.