Prospect Info: Will Borgen (2015, 92nd) – '17-18: Signed ELC, Reporting To Rochester

[Woodhouse]

In this post-draft article, we learn Sabres scout Keith Hendrickson saw Borgen play a number of times in Moorhead. (Hendrickson's son plays at Concordia College in Moorhead.) Further, here are quotes from his soon-to-be coach:

"He probably emerged a little more on the scene because there were more eyes on him," Huskies head coach Bob Motzko said. "Last year, he was a guy to watch before the season started. I just think he was a year older, more mature.

"He played two sports at Moorhead," Motzko said of Borgen, who also was a three-year letterwinner in soccer. "He played more hockey this year with playing down in the USHL, so there were more chances for people to look at him."

"He's a long, rangy athlete and is tough and he's got a little bit of a nasty streak in him," Motzko said. "He's very athletic. You see a lot of similarities to Nick Jensen, but he's 6-foot-2."

Jensen was the WCHA Defenseman of the Year and an All-American in 2013. A fifth-round draft pick of Detroit, Jensen has played the last two seasons in the American Hockey League for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' affiliate.

"He's a great skater, very competitive and he's really emerged as a real bright prospect," Motzko said of Borgen. "Plus, he's a terrific young man, good student ... he's the full package."

 

[Jacob582]

mini-team combine??

Borgen was excited, but not stunned that Buffalo selected him. About a week after the NHL Combine, Borgen and four other draft prospects were invited to work out for the Sabres in Buffalo.

http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports...su-defenseman-taken-th-round-sabres/29402831/

 

[sjci]

mini-team combine??



http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports...su-defenseman-taken-th-round-sabres/29402831/

now that's interesting. Wonder who the others were?

 

[Woodhouse]

Royce: “He’s a big defenseman, skates very well, good hockey sense, moves the puck. He’s going to St. Cloud next year, four years to develop there. When he comes out, he’ll have another year, two years in the American League and then be ready to play for the big club.â€

 

[Woodhouse]

As expected, Borgen was paired with his USHL d-partner Schuldt in SCSU's 6-2 exhibition win over Alberta .. finished +1 with 0 SOG and a double-minor for cross-checking according to the boxscore .. on-ice for GF2, GA1, GF5, with the GA going in off a teammate's stick.

 

[Woodhouse]

In SCSU's 3-0 win over Alaska, Borgen finished even with 0 SOG .. on-ice for zero GF or GA .. looks like he's played RD2 with Widman, as Schuldt was bumped to LD1.

 

[Woodhouse]

Borgen's up to seven assists now through 15 GP .. his latest tonight being described as:

1. SCSU – Robby Jackson 4 (Kalle Kossila, Will Borgen) 14:34.
Borgen had some nifty footwork and stickhandling at the blue line to hold the zone and get the puck to Kossila. Kossila shoveled it across the high slot to Jackson, who took a couple strides and scored a nice shot past the glove of goalie Kirk Thompson for a 1-0 lead.

 

[Woodhouse]

Borgen was named to Team USA's preliminary WJC roster:

 

[Revelate]

i don't give him much of a shot of making the final cut, but very impressive to just make the preliminary roster.

 

[Ball1374]

Per Bakes he's made a pretty smooth transition to D-1. He's spoken pretty highly of Will in his weekend updates too. Hopefully he can make it past the first cut, considering only Werenski, Carlo, and Krys seem to be locks.

 

[LaxSabre]

@SabresProspects -

BIG congrats to Will Borgen for being named to the 2016 United States National Junior Team Preliminary Roster. Huge.
Borgen has been impressive as a true freshman at SCSU. Kid can skate and move the puck, and uses his body well.
Seamless transition to D1. So that gives the #Sabres two WJC candidates in Karabacek (CZE) and Borgen (USA).
Karabacek was expected. Borgen a very pleasant surprise.

 

[stokes84]

Reminds me of the time that the majority of the board thought that the 5th round pick was a better prospect than the 4th round pick because... Well, just because. Congrats to Will. This is a big accomplishment.

 

[Husko]

Reminds me of the time that the majority of the board thought that the 5th round pick was a better prospect than the 4th round pick because... Well, just because. Congrats to Will. This is a big accomplishment.

How dare they have independent opinions.

 

[Woodhouse]

SCTimes - Borgen excited for Team USA tryout:

“The first couple weeks, we kept saying, ‘well, it’s a little over two weeks, it’s not going to last,’” Huskies coach Bob Motzko said. “Then you go another two weeks and we’re saying the same thing.

“But then the next week comes and you have to say, ‘Wait a minute, we’ve got something here.’ … We come in shaking our heads saying, ‘Did we just see what we’re seeing?’”

“He’s a tremendous player, a good puck mover,” St. Cloud State senior defenseman Ethan Prow said. “He’s patient with the puck. For being a young guy bringing those attributes, there’s no question why he got asked (by Team USA).

“He’s very confident with the puck, which helps him elude some of those guys coming in on him, and he’s good defensively.”

“We knew he had a chance to be a special player, but we didn’t know he’d be that good, that quick,” Motzko said. “He’s played like a veteran and that’s the thing that’s the most encouraging.

“He does not have any freshman, wide-eyed look to his game. He’s a whale of a competitor. He’s tough. If he does get in a little trouble out there with his positional play, he’ll take two skating strides and be right back in the play. So he’s never really in trouble.”

“I’ve never been too offensive,” Borgen said of his style of play. “I play defense and I’m a puck-moving defenseman. It’s a lot harder to defend these guys because they’re a lot bigger, stronger.”

Despite being tall and lean, Borgen plays an aggressive, physical game and he’s fourth on the team in penalty minutes with 10.

“He’s got that grinding side to him and I think all the good players have that,” Prow said. “He can power and grind in the corners.”

“The scary thing is waiting until his game rounds out,” Motzko said. “He’s like quarterbacks in the pocket where he doesn’t see pressure. He’s looking beyond it and is athletic enough to work through a maze.

“He’s going to hit a higher level defensively because of his size, his strength and his meanness. I think there’s a whole (higher) level he can hit offensively. … We’re seeing it in glimpses, but there’ll be a day where that offense is going to come regularly.”

Some good praise, quotes, and insight into Borgen's game in there.

 

[LaxSabre]

Mike Morreale ‏@mikemorrealeNHL -

Have been impressed with Sabres defensive prospect Will Borgen (St. Cloud State). Broke up Alex DeBrincat/Matthew Tkachuk 2 on 1. Has been steady.

 

[couture23]

Truly sounds like he has a shot of making the US team.

 

[MackAttack26]

I think only 4 spots on USA's D are "locks". Hopefully he can grab one of the final 3 spots, would be very impressive if he did.

 

[Zip15]

Didn't realize Team USA has six RHD, including Borgen, but only three LHD in camp. Throw in the fact that two of the RHD are returnees (Carlo, Collins), and they likely won't keep more than four RHD, Borgen is probably one of four RHD competing for two spots.

 

[Woodhouse]

 

[LaxSabre]

Five Takeaways - First Day Of USA Hockey World Junior Championship Camp - Tuesday, December 15 - By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer.

5. Surprise! Surprise! - Defenseman William Borgen (Buffalo Sabres) of St. Cloud State University had a nice showing on opening day in breaking up a few odd-man rushes, including a 2-on-1 against Tkachuk and DeBrincat. In addition to the top line of Tkachuk, Matthews and DeBrincat, the fifth line of Eansor, Keller and Hitchcock provided a lot of energy and enthusiasm each shift. Wilson even had the line matched against Matthews during a scrimmage.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=792812

 

[Castrophy]

Really hope this kid can make the team. With Karabacek breaking his thumb he could be our only prospect in the tournament.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[MackAttack26]

Sounds like he is really impressing and has a good shot.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Sounds like he is really impressing and has a good shot.

Good stuff. Would be great if he made the cut. With Karabacek injured, I'm pretty sure Borgen is the only Sabre prospect that has a chance to be in the WJCs.

 

[Ace]

Recorded the only assist on Milano's second goal in a 4-0 win in the UMass exhibition. Really hope he makes it. His rise from out of nowhere is a fun story to watch develop.

From thinking he was another year away from NCAA hockey to here in the blink of an eye.