Welcome to week thirteen of the New Jersey Devils college roundup. This week brings an exciting update on Merrill along with holiday tournaments and Pietila at World Juniors. Keep reading to get an update on each prospect. Player Position Team Games Played Goals Assists Points PMIN Shots +/- Jon Merrill D University of Michigan - - - - - - - Blake Coleman C Miami University 2 0 0 0 4 8 0 Curtis Gedig D Ohio State 2 0 1 1 0 6 -1 Player Position Team Games Played Goals Assists Points PMIN Shots +/- Blake Pietila LW Michigan Tech - - - - - - - Derek Rodwell LW University of North Dakota - - - - - - - Seth Helgeson D University of Minnesota 2 0 0 0 6 5 +1 Joe Faust D University of Wisconsin - - - - - - -
CCHA
Jon Merrill:
Merrill had a doctor's appointment yesterday evening. No news was released immediately following the visit but if all goes well, he will be cleared to play. He has been practicing with the team for the last few days.
Blake Coleman:
In the first ever Three Rivers Classic, Miami University came in second after losing to Robert Morris. The team attempted 51 shots but could not get one by Robert Morris goaltender Eric Levine. Coleman was responsible for eight shots on the weekend, seven of them coming in the final game of the tournament. He didn't get any points on the weekend - the team only scored one goal throughout the entire Classic.
Curtis Gedig:
Ohio State also competed in the Three Rivers Classic and was not successful at all. They went 0-2 on the weekend. Gedig got an assist in a 5-4 loss to Penn State.
In the CCHA, Miami is still in second, Ohio State is in fourth, and University of Michigan is in seventh - hopefully a returning Trouba from World Juniors and Merrill coming back from injury can start to turn things around for the struggling Wolverines.
WCHA
Blake Pietila:
Pietila did not participate in any games for Michigan Tech last weekend due to the World Junior Championship. Without Pietila, Michigan Tech did very well winning the Great Lakes Invitational.
At the World Juniors, the American's have played Russia (2-1 loss), Germany (8-0 win), Canada (2-1 loss), Slovakia (9-3 win), and Czech Republic (7-0 win) to get to the semi-finals against Canada. Pietila has a team leading plus-minus rating of plus five.
There was a nice play by Pietila and his linemates, Hartman and Bardeau against the Czech Republic to give you a taste of what they have been producing. It doesn't end up as a goal, but it is still a highlight worthy play. Check it out here. This line is one of the few that has stayed intact throughout the tournament.
In the semi's, Pietila was used everywhere including a 4-on-4 situation and the penalty kill. He got away with one when he dislodged the net during the first PK of the game and a US goal was scored shortly after. You can check out the boxscore from the game here.
USA won 5-1 against Canada and will face the winner of the Russia vs. Sweden game which began at 8am EST on NHL Network for the gold medal. The USA - Canada game will be replayed on 1pm EST on NHL Network.
Derek Rodwell:
The University of North Dakota was off last weekend - they will be participating in the Subway Holiday Classic on January 4-5.
Seth Helgeson:
Helgeson was the only Devils' prospect from the WCHA playing for their college team this weekend. In the Mariucci Classic, The University of Minnesota went 2-0 beating Boston College and Air Force. In game one against Air Force, Helgeson got three penalties - two separate penalties for roughing and one for spraying the goalie. Minnesota won that battle 4-0. In the second game against Boston College, Minnesota won 8-1. Helgeson was held to just one shot in the game.
Joe Faust:
The University of Wisconsin was off last weekend - they will be traveling to Alaska next week.
In the WCHA, North Dakota is in second, Minnesota is in fifth, Wisconsin is in tenth and Michigan Tech is in eleventh.
Totals:
Player Games Played Goals Assists Points PMIN Shots +/- Jon Merrill - - - - - - - Blake Coleman 20 5 4 9 29 77 +2 Curtis Gedig 18 0 4 4 6 26 +11 Blake Pietila 16 10 2 12 16 49 -6 Derek Rodwell 18 1 0 1 14 22 +1 Seth Helgeson 20 0 3 3 30 22 +1 Joe Faust 16 0 0 0 8 14 +2
It was a slow weekend for the prospects. Pietila is my standout for the weekend due to his help bringing USA to the gold medal game in the World Juniors. Although he is not lighting it up, he is making an impact on the ice.
That's it for the roundup this week. What do you think of the World Juniors so far? Do you think Merrill will have a major impact on the University of Michigan when he returns? Feel free to discuss below.