Prospect Info: Signed ELC Mar. 21, 2017: Mark Friedman, D , 5'11", 185 lbs., 2014 3rd round pick

[Patrick Division]

Decent little slap-pass here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeWnuWjsYK4

 

[Beef Invictus]

It's refreshing to draft someone with potential in the third round instead of wasting the pick trying to draft for the fourth line

 

[Patrick Division]

It's refreshing to draft someone with potential in the third round instead of wasting the pick trying to draft for the fourth line

I couldn't agree more!

 

[Tankadelphia]

I think Friedman is an attempt to balance out the deep prospect pool, the guys developing in college or abroad:
Vasilyev (Russia)
Wilcox (Notre Dame)
Luukko (Vermont)
Larsson (Sweden)
Amorosa (Providence) - only offensive prospect of the group
David Drake

Holmgren went for more "defensive" defensemen, Friedman adds some mobility to this group, the future 5th - 6th defensemen in 3-4 years.

We lost larsson

 

[Haute Couturier]

It's refreshing to draft someone with potential in the third round instead of wasting the pick trying to draft for the fourth line

You weren't happy with Klotz??

 

[sa cyred]

I think Friedman is an attempt to balance out the deep prospect pool, the guys developing in college or abroad:
Vasilyev (Russia)
Wilcox (Notre Dame)
Luukko (Vermont)
Larsson (Sweden)
Amorosa (Providence) - only offensive prospect of the group
David Drake

Holmgren went for more "defensive" defensemen, Friedman adds some mobility to this group, the future 5th - 6th defensemen in 3-4 years.

Also Wilcox goes to Cornell

 

[BernieParent]

Where are the goons? I demand goons!!!!

 

[Bob Clarke Fan Club]

Sounds like a really interesting pick. Not much missing other than size here.

Kinda sounds like Timonen.

 

[nevermore]

Goulbourne aside, there are no reaches in the 3rd round of a hockey draft.

Garrett Klotz LOLs at this comment.

 

[jd2210]

I'm happy that the first 3 picks are all known for great speed. I also really like that we drafted a kid that we have 4 years to decide on.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

seems like a Ghost clone.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Garrett Klotz LOLs at this comment.

Falls into the Goulbourne category.

 

[dats81]

May never become an NHLer but if he ever makes it, he may have turned into a dynamic playmaker and point producer to make up for his small frame.. or he turns into another Erik Gustafsson - good enough to play in the NHL but not good enough to stick

 

[MadFerIt95*]

Small, puck moving D man who isn't very physical.

Gus 2.0?

 

[GKJ]

Friedman was 4th among defensemen in scoring in the USHL

 

[Broad Street Elite]

I think the biggest question here is how much trust there is in Bowling Green to develop Friedman. Pryor's interview seems to indicate a "we'll see how it goes" when asked about that, but depending on how this goes, I can easily envision a Stolarz scenario where Friedman makes his way to the OHL for a season eventually.

 

[jabba2]

Fast puck mover. First, "The Ghost"...and now, "Im Fried, Man"

 

[GKJ]

The thing with Stolarz is that he was a goaltender who wasn't going to play. If you're recruiting guys who are 3rd round picks, they're going to play. As a coach and recruiter, you've certainly told him that. Especially at a school like that, it's not like he's going to BC, Minnesota, UND, etc. where they'd have a crowded depth chart. If anything, I'd be concerned about the level of competition and teammates he's going to play with. Would love to hear how he ended up at a program like Bowling Green, other teams will pay attention to when he's on the ice as if he's a forward.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

DraftBuzz ranked #86. Deserves every bit of that selection and quite possibly could be a better value pick than Honka for providing the same heady, offensively adept game.

Will update post with scouting info in a bit.

 

[Broad Street Elite]

Would love to hear how he ended up at a program like Bowling Green, other teams will pay attention to when he's on the ice as if he's a forward.

Pryor basically said "BG committed to Mark early in the process and Mark wants to keep the pledge to them." I'm sure there is more to the story, but that is at least part of it.

 

[GKJ]

Pryor basically said "BG committed to Mark early in the process and Mark wants to keep the pledge to them." I'm sure there is more to the story, but that is at least part of it.

Must have been a hell of a sell, because Bowling Green almost cut the program altogether. That's the school Ralfs Freibergs is at. They have a kid from Collegeville, too.

 

[FLYguy3911]

The thing with Stolarz is that he was a goaltender who wasn't going to play. If you're recruiting guys who are 3rd round picks, they're going to play. As a coach and recruiter, you've certainly told him that. Especially at a school like that, it's not like he's going to BC, Minnesota, UND, etc. where they'd have a crowded depth chart. If anything, I'd be concerned about the level of competition and teammates he's going to play with. Would love to hear how he ended up at a program like Bowling Green, other teams will pay attention to when he's on the ice as if he's a forward.

I agree. The most important development tool is ice time. Hard to develop your game if opportunity is limited. BG has a similar guy in Ralfs Freibergs who probably signs an NHL contract after this year (think there was a rumor he was coming to rookie camp) so there is that.

Profile looks similar to this guy as well:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=37747

 

[ELab2]

Must have been a hell of a sell, because Bowling Green almost cut the program altogether. That's the school Ralfs Freibergs is at. They have a kid from Collegeville, too.

He more or less explains how he ended up at Bowling Green in this video

 

[Broad Street Elite]

I agree. The most important development tool is ice time. Hard to develop your game if opportunity is limited.

While this is absolutely true, it maxes out it's value if it's against truly inferior talent. Looking at BG's 2013-2014 schedule, they only played a handful of good programs (imo). I certainly think Friedman is fine for this year, but after that, it'll require some re-evaluation to assess whether growth opportunities still exist. They may, but it warrants watching from an organizational standpoint.

 

[FLYguy3911]

While this is absolutely true, it maxes out it's value if it's against truly inferior talent. Looking at BG's 2013-2014 schedule, they only played a handful of good programs (imo). I certainly think Friedman is fine for this year, but after that, it'll require some re-evaluation to assess whether growth opportunities still exist. They may, but it warrants watching from an organizational standpoint.

I don't think their schedule is any better or worse than what Gostisbehere played in the ECAC. Sure UAH is a doormat, but Minn St and Ferris St are always good and they have a bunch of middle of the pack schools. It's not Hockey East, but it's nothing to get concerned over either.

And where would you like him to play next year if things don't work out? His only other option is the AHL.