Recruiting update

USHR reports that BU and Wisconsin are the finalists for Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) talented rookie center Mike Connolly, a 5-11 left shot who is currently tied for second on his team in scoring. Camrose is the top-ranked Junior A team in Canada

Last year, Connolly captained the Calgary AAA Buffalos to the AMHL title and into the Telus Cup tournament (Canada’s national midget championship) where he was named Most Valuable Player. BU freshman Eric Gryba was named top defenseman in the 2005 Telus Cup.

Darren Rommerdahl, Connolly’s AAA coach says: "In my opinion though, he was the best player in this league without a doubt. His strengths are puck handling, speed, smartness with puck, ability to find open men and he competes very hard. His is solid in both ends of the rink and hits guys hard! His best attribute is his competitiveness. I have coached many good players and he might be the best I have ever had at the same age.”

Last month, the Alberta Hockey Now site profiled Connolly, who also has been mentioned in Paul Shaheen's Research on Ice newsletter.

During the past two weeks, two of Connolly's Camrose teammates, Chris Barton and Karl Stollery, have committed to Merrimack, and another teammate, Joe Colborne, is being pursued by several Ivies. Perhaps those cold Canadian winds blowing off the prairie will continue to reach the East coast.