More light has been shed on UW-Stout’s 2010-2011 freshmen class. Stouthockey.com released information on some transfers and players that are incoming from the Alaska Avalanche (NAHL). A more complete picture has emerged in the last week of the incoming recruits.

Russell Whited  (D)

Russell Whited will join the Blue Devils as a defenseman.  If that name sounds familiar, that’s because it is.  Russell’s brother Joel will be a junior forward for UW-Stout this season.  He played for the Soo Eagles Junior “A” club before being drafted by Kenai River in the 2009 NAHL entry draft.  Despite being drafted by Kenai River,  Russell spent most of his junior career with Motor City in the NAHL. Coach Watkins is obviously aware of what he’s getting with Russ because of his brotherly connection.  Here are his most recent statistics from 2008-2009.

6″3   200 lbs  - Defense   –    GP 45   G 1    A 4   PTS 5

Casey Kirley (F)

Casey Kirley should be a familiar name to Wisconsin high school hockey fans, and midget AAA hockey fans.  Casey played his high school hockey north of Menomonie at Hayward High School.  He also spent time playing for Team Wisconsin AAA and also participated in the Chicago Showcase Tournament where he had an impressive showing.  He was drafted by Kenai River, as was Whited, but was shuffled around in trade deals quite a bit.  Casey is no stranger to the coaches at UW-Stout and hockey gurus in Menomonie.  They know his style from the years spent with Hayward and Team Wisconsin.  Casey’s younger brother Nolan is a rising star and is garnering a lot of attention himself, he was an OHL draft pick and is even being a called a candidate for the NTDP program in Ann Arbor.  Brother Nolan will play for the Austin Bruins in the NAHL this coming season.

5″9   175 lbs  - Forward –   GP 28   G 0   A 0   PTS 0

Kevin Odonnell  (F)

Kevin Odonnell is another Wisconsin prospect choosing to keep his talent within the border!  Kevin hails from Stoughton, a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin. Odonnell skated for the Springfield Jr. Blues in the NAHL.  Odonnell is not afraid to drop the mits and throw his weight around if he has to.  He will be another grinding addition as a power-forward for UW-Stout in the rough-and-tough NCHA.  Here are his stats from last season.

6″2   190 lbs    GP 58  G 16   A 13  PTS 29

Dustin Moser  (F)

Dustin is from an area of Minnesota where hockey is life, Roseau, MN.  Roseau, just 15 miles off the Canadian border, is arguably touted as one of the states best hockey programs every year.  Moser was the team captain at Roseau High.  He was drafted by the North Iowa Outlaws in the 2008 NAHL entry draft.  Moser is a small guy, standing only 5″7. Perhaps Moser can add some speed and shiftyness to complete some of the bigger forwards in this years recruiting class.  Here are Dustin’s stats from the 2008-2009 season with North Iowa.

5″7   165 lbs   GP 35   G 2   A 6   PTS 8

Bradley Wohlers (G)

Bradley Wohlers is a standout tender from Mahtomedi High. He made a name for himself in last years Minnesota State Tournament.  Coach Watkins is likely bringing Bradley in to push on the three current goaltenders UW-Stout has rostered.  Tom Lescovich, Nick Hopper and Mike Morgan will likely be the go to guys in the crease for the Devils.  Bradley is also a great golfer and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the UW-Stout golf team next season, also coached by Terry Watkins.

5″9   130 lbs   MINS 1047 W 15 L 6 GAA 2.77 SV% .901

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Other Recruits Already Mentioned

• Logan Maly (F) – Alaska Avalanche (NAHL)
• Jed McGlasson (F) – Alaska Avalanche (NAHL)
• Rob Haider (F) – Alaska Avalanche (NAHL)
• Charles LaChance* (F) – American International University (DI)
• Jason Cohen* – (D) American International University (DI)
• Logan Rounds (F) – Alaska Avalanche (NAHL)

* denotes transfer

Robb Haider (F)

Another Alaskan will pull on a UW-Stout sweater next season. One of Alaska’s premiere prep players, Robb Haider, has commited to UW-Stout for the 2010-2011 season.  Haider attended South Anchorage High where he was an force to reckon with from day 1.

His former high school coach, Mike Ashley, gave him the nickname “super freshmen”.  Coach Ashley gave this to only the most elite freshmen who he thought could make an impact right away in the tough CIC conference.

There are very few (Super Freshmen) in the league,” Ashley said. “Lots of freshmen, but few have an impact.”

Robb was one of those impact players.

Haider went on to carry his South Anchorage Wolverines to four-straight state championships. Robb also set the South Anchorage record for career points in just three seasons.  He ended with 71 goals and 62 assists for 133 points in 102 games.  Haider put himself into another elite class, joining former Anchorage East star and current Montreal Canadian Scott Gomez (1995, 1996) as the only two men to be named state player of the year more than once.

After being recognized as the best prep player in Alaska for two years running, Haider was happy to stay close to home.  He signed with the Alaska Avalance in the NAHL where he spent two full seasons.  In 2008-2009 Robb tallied 25 points and improved those numbers in 2009-2010 contributing 32 points.

Haider Excels Off-Ice

Robb is not only a blue-chip prospect on-ice, but he is also gifted in the classroom as well.

“Education always comes first in my family,” said Haider.

Haider graduated Magna Cum Laude from South Anchorage High School, where he also was a member of the National Honor Society.  Robb was honored each semester with the school’s Academic Achievement Award and achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Haider plans on majoring in Engineering at UW-Stout, one of the universities premiere fields of study.

Haider Arrives With Alaskan Company

Haider will join his former Avalanche teammates Logan Maly, Logan Rounds and Jed McGlasson who will all be freshmen next season.  They will also join former teammates in the form of Justin Giles (Soph) and Jason Cohen (Soph-Transfer).  That’s a total of six players on the Blue Devils roster who played their junior hockey for the Avalanche.  Can we call it a pipeline yet?

Bottom Line

Haider should find good chemistry with some many other Avs on the roster with him.  Coach Watkins may look to keep these players together as a unit; quite similar to what Norwich did with their stellar freshmen from last year.

With offensive weapons like Scott Motz, Derek Hanson and Joel Gaulrapp all graduating,  Haider could be looked to as a “super freshmen”.  He would need to quickly adjust to collegiate hockey and work hard to contribute right away. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s been looked to as the “super freshmen”, would it?

An interesting side note.  Robb Haider’s father, Kurt Haider, is the play-by-play broadcaster for the UAA Seawolves (WCHA DI).

UW-Stout has received two transfers from the Atlantic Hockey Association in NCAA Division I.  American International University  has lost two quality players to UW-Stout in the form of defenseman Jason Cohen of Anchorage, AK and forward Charles LaChance of Quebec City, Que.

Charles LaChance

Before his time in Div. I, LaChance Played for the Walpole Express in 2008-09 in the AJHL where he rung up 45 points in 42 games played.  LaChance was named to the AJHL all-star team.  Before his time in the AJHL, he appeared in 36 games for the OCN Blizzard in 2007-08 where he scored nine times with 10 assists for 19 points.  LaChance is the kind of forward Coach Watkins likes.  He’s big, standing 6″2 and weighing 200 lbs, but also packs some offensive skill.  He’ll likely be a good addition as a power-forward; he’ll be able to grind pucks out of the corner and tally some pretty goals.

Jason Cohen

LaChance brings a friend from AIU with him on the blue line, and that is Jason Cohen.  Before pulling on a AIU sweater, Cohen spent the previous two seasons with the Alaska Avalanche (NAHL) scoring eight goals with 31 assists for 39 points over 81 career games played in 2008-2009.  Cohen served as a team captain and was selected to play in the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.  Cohen is no small drink of water either.  He stands 6″1 and 205 lbs; his stature is very similar to current UW-Stout defenseman Bobby Kuehl.  Cohen will be looked to add some defensive skill and leadership on the blue line.  The Blue Devils struggled on defense last season, and a smart, confident, “defensive oriented” defenseman is needed on the Devils bench.