Horrid Badgers Season Has Players Thinking of Departing

Then… they just didn’t. Wisconsin did the worst out of any Big Ten team. Even though most of their key players met, if not exceeded expectations, it just didn’t work. The season was underscored by a 9-1 loss to OSU in their 2nd last game of the season. They dropped a heartbreaker to OSU in OT to cap off their season.

What seemed to be a new era of Wisconsin Hockey suddenly begs another question. Who’s going to leave? 

Confirmed Departures

Alex Turcotte

Alex Turcotte is leaving Wisconsin. Turcotte signed his ELC with the Los Angeles Kings, cementing the fact that he’s going pro.

 Per Todd D. Milewski of Wisconsin State Journal, Only one of the last nine NCAA players picked in the top 10 stayed with their team for a second season after being drafted. The last was Cale Makar, who, after his 2nd season, signed with the Colorado Avalanche.

Turcotte didn’t have a terrible first season. With 26 points in 29 games, Turcotte finished the season with the 4th most points among U19 NCAA players. However, it looks like Turcotte will start the season with the Ontario Reign, as he looks to make it to the NHL.

K’Andre Miller

Even though K’Andre Miller had a down year in terms of offensive production, he showed improvements in his game as a whole. The forward turned defenseman put up 18 points in 36 games and helped lead Team USA during this year’s WJC. The New York Rangers’ 2018 1st round pick signed his ELC with the New York Rangers after his season ended. Miller turning pro isn’t a surprise. It’s his 2nd season of NCAA hockey and he’s ready enough to take that next step. Miller will likely start his season off with the Hartford Wolf Pack but could see time with the big club.

Sean Dhooghe

Sean Dhooghe became a big part of Wisconsin’s offense during his three-year career. His 26 points in 37 games tied for the lead in Wisconsin scoring during his sophomore year, and put him top-40 among U21 NCAA players. The winger wasn’t able to put up the same numbers during his junior year. Dhooghe struggled with a knee injury later in the season but didn’t appear in the final 8 games of the season, even though he was healthy. His decreased role likely had an influence on him leaving the program early. He transferred to Arizona State University to become a Sun Devil. The 5’3 winger is another tough loss for the Badgers, who have to replace his offensive production.

Not Signed

Cole Caufield

Cole Caufield came into this season as one of the most hyped goalscorers in hockey. He delivered during the start of the season, scoring 6 goals in 4 games. He tied with Alex Newhook for most goals by a U19 NCAA player, with 19 goals. Caufield led the Badgers in scoring, with 36 points in 36 games. By all means, he impressed this season. 

Somehow, Caufield was the player least likely to leave Wisconsin.

There are a number of factors that would have influenced his decision, but there’s one that stands out especially. Marc Bergevin confirmed to La Presse that he would meet with Caufield to see what he decides for his future. He made it clear that it’s Caufield’s choice but pointed out one thing in particular. The Habs believe that, even though he’s done well in Wisconsin so far, he isn’t ready yet. Bergevin told Mathias Brunet of La Presse that the Habs recommend that Caufield should stay with Wisconsin for at least another year. If not, he mentioned Laval (AHL) as another option. 

Caufield impressed the most during his time in Wisconsin, but he was faced with a tough choice. Does the home-state player stay in Wisconsin, where his brother Brock will likely play his 3rd season? Or does he opt to chase his life-long dream of playing in the NHL, with one of the most storied franchises in hockey, a year earlier than he would if he were to stay?

It looks like he’ll choose the former and delay the latter, by at least a season.

Wyatt Kalynuk

Wyatt Kalynuk has been a very pleasant surprise for the Flyers organization. The Philadelphia Flyers picked the defenseman 196th overall in 2017. At the time, he’d put up decent numbers in the USHL. When he entered Wisconsin, however, that changed. Kalynuk hasn’t gone under 25 points in each of his three seasons with the Badgers. He earned the “C” this season. He’s a great skater and a great offensive defenseman.

When asked about leaving, Kalnyuk said: “It’ll be something I have to think about, but no decision yet.” There’s no question that the Flyers should at least check-in, I wouldn’t be shocked if they’ve already offered him a contract. Kalynuk could wait until next year, but he looks ready to take the next step. 

Dylan Holloway

Dylan Holloway enters the 2020 NHL Draft as a projected first-round pick. The 18-year-old had an impressive first season with the Badgers. He finished the season 2nd in points among draft-eligible U19 players. Holloway probably won’t leave the program, but the possibility is there. There are a few options lined up for him. The most likely one aside from staying would be to head to the AHL. Turning pro would, obviously, be a huge step up, so it’s likely that path doesn’t open for another year. A less likely path would be to move to junior hockey. It doesn’t make as much sense, considering it’s clear that Holloway’s path of preference is the college path, but if they do decide they want him playing junior, his rights belong to the Everett Silvertips of the WHL.

Other Potential Departees

Linus Weissbach

Linus Weissbach has been a solid gem for the Sabres organization. The Buffalo Sabres picked him 192nd overall in 2017. Weissbach has impressed throughout his tenure, consistently finishing high among Wisconsin scorers, never going below 22 points. This year has been a down year for the winger. The season saw him get demoted to the 4th line, and that might affect his willingness to stay with the program. I wouldn’t be shocked if Buffalo at least checks if he’s interested in joining Rochester.

Roman Ahcan

Roman Ahcan is only a sophomore, but his 25 points in 33 games were good for 4th on the Badgers. He finished the season tied for 31st among U21 NCAA players. Ahcan probably won’t leave, but with his brother Jack leaving for the Bruins, he could definitely hear some offers from NHL teams already. 

Jason Dhooghe

With news of Sean Dhooghe leaving Wisconsin, it’s not clear what the future entails for his older brother, Jason. Jason Dhooghe isn’t known for his scoring abilities. He’s more of a penalty-killer/two-way forward and that’s the role he’s been in at Wisconsin. However, Dhooghe saw his role get massively reduced during his junior year. He went from 20 games during his sophomore year, to only 3. I don’t think it’s far-fetched to assume Dhooghe could follow the steps of the younger Dhooghe and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. As of now, though, he hasn’t gone that route.

Other Confirmed Departees

Max Zimmer

Max Zimmer was a key piece of Wisconsin’s forward corps during his four-year career. The winger peaked with 18 points in 34 games in his junior year. He left Wisconsin with 45 points in 115 games. Zimmer was inconsistent throughout the season but finished his season off on a tear. The Canes prospect went on to sign a contract with their AHL team, the Charlotte Checkers. 

Jack Berry

Jack Berry spent most of his Badgers career as a backup/1B, with a career-high SV% of .898 in his freshman year. The 24-year-old was overall solid in net for the Badgers as he spent time behind Daniel Lebedeff. Wisconsin has three new goalies coming in next season, at least one has to fill the hole left by Berry.

Johan Blomquist

Johan Blomquist spent his NCAA career as the Wisconsin Badgers’ 3rd string goalie. The 24-year-old played a total of 46 minutes before starting his first game on Senior Night. Blomquist revealed that he planned on moving closer to family in Sweden and that his experience with Wisconsin is one that he doesn’t regret at all.

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