Wisconsin was second to only Michigan last season in terms of NCAA alumni playing in the National Hockey League. That information has seemed to aid the Badgers in recruiting, as more and more players who have committed to the program are mentioning that as a reason for coming to Madison.
Peter Tischke, a defenseman from the Chicago area who committed to Mike Eaves and the Badgers last Wednesday night for the 2014 season said the development he expects to get at UW was a major reason he made his decision.
"I chose to play for Wisconsin because for one it's a top notch NCAA hockey school, but also they are known for developing players so they are ready to play in the NHL," Tischke told Bucky's 5th Quarter Tuesday.
"And I feel that the coaches at Wisconsin are the best of the best."
Tischke is the third player from the Chicago Mission U16 team he currently plays on to commit to the Badgers. Naperville, IL native Seamus Malone, and Brookfield, WI native Jake Linhart had previously given verbal pledges to Wisconsin.
In addition to Linhart, Malone, and Tischke, that Mission squad also fetures Anders Bjork (committed to Notre Dame), Bobby Nardella (Notre Dame), and Nick Schmaltz (North Dakota) as well as high end prospects Christian Dvorak (who is considering UW) and Adam Baughman.
"It was very fun to play on a great team with a lot of D1 commitments. Most players do not get to play on a team with such a high caliber," Tischke said. "Every practice I got better because there were so many great players that were hard to defend."
While having some familiar faces on the team down the road is nice, Tischke was adamant that this decision was about putting himself in the best spot to be successful.
"It affected me very little. But, I love playing with them and I'm very happy that we all (Linhart & Malone) get to play on the same team again in the future," Tischke said.
Listed at 6'0, 187 pounds, Tischke chose the Badgers over New Hampshire, Western Michigan, and Bowling Green. The bruising blue-liner said he fell in love with the campus on his visit.
"I visited Madison and loved it. The atmosphere was great and the sites were amazing. It seemed like there was a lot to do. When I went there it felt like a perfect fit for me."
Asked to describe his style of play, Tischke notes that he's a throwback defenseman who enjoys the pressure of being on the penalty kill.
"I believe that I am a defensive defenseman. While most players love to be on the power play, I love to be on the penalty kill because it puts more pressure on me," Tischke said.
"I like that because I play better under pressure."
Tischke recently heard his name called in the USHL Futures Draft when he was selected in the second round by the Des Moines Buccaneers. Tischke told us it was a special moment to be selected.
"It was an honor to hear my name called during the Futures Draft. I was very excited that I got drafted to the Des Moines Buccaneers because they have been having some struggles, and they are looking for some new players."
As of right now Tischke is unsure of where he'll play next season. He'll go to camp with Des Moines but if that doesn't work out he sees the value of returning to the Mission.
"I am waiting to see on how the camp goes. If I make the team then I think I am going to play there. But if I don't make the team, then I'm going to play midget minor with the Mission," Tischke noted. "That way I can work on my offensive game more."
As with any high end young player, major juniors are always a possibility. Tischke told us that the college route is best for him.
"I think that I am going to become a better player, and better person staying with the NCAA."
The Tischke File
- Player: Peter Tischek
- Team: Chicago Mission U16
- USHL Draft Rights: Des Moines Buccaneers (2nd round Futures selection)
- Hometown: Hinsdale, IL
- Position: Defense
- Size: 6'0, 187
- Handed: Left
- Expected Arrival: 2014
- Twitter Account: @BendHard4
- 2012 Stats: 28 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points
Player |
Team |
Position |
Arrival |
Size |
DOB |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
Grant Besse
|
Benilde-St. Margaret's |
F |
2014 |
5'10, 175
|
7-14-1994 |
31 |
52 |
41 |
93 |
|
Team Northwest*** |
|
|
|
|
24 |
17 |
18 |
35 |
Tim Davison |
Notre Dame Academy |
D |
2013 |
5'10, 169
|
3-2-1994 |
30 |
13 |
38 |
51 |
|
Team Wisconsin*** |
|
|
|
|
21 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
Nicolas Kerdiles
|
USA NTDP U18 |
F |
2012 |
6'1, 194
|
1-11-1994 |
54 |
22 |
26 |
48 |
Jake Linhart
|
Chicago Mission U16 |
D |
2014 |
5'10, 160
|
1-17-1996 |
29 |
4 |
10
|
14 |
Seamus Malone
|
Chicago Mission U16 |
F |
2015 |
|
5-6-1996 |
28 |
13 |
20
|
33 |
Corbin McGuire
|
Springfield (EJHL)*** |
F |
2013 |
5'8, 185
|
3-2-1994 |
11 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Jersey (EJHL) |
|
|
|
|
40 |
5 |
13 |
18 |
Kevin Schulze
|
Muskegon (USHL)*** |
D |
2012 |
5'9, 155
|
4-29-1993 |
8 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Omaha (USHL) |
|
|
|
|
50 |
2 |
20 |
22 |
Peter Tischke
|
Chicago Mission U16 |
D |
2014 |
6'0, 178
|
1-3-1996 |
28 |
3 |
11 |
14 |
Eddie Wittchow
|
Waterloo (USHL) |
D |
2012 |
6'4, 200
|
10-31-1992 |
69 |
5 |
17 |
23 |
Morgan Zulinick
|
Salmon Arm (BCHL) |
C |
2012 |
5'11, 185
|
6-29-1994 |
57 |
24 |
42 |
66 |
Player |
Team |
Position |
Arrival |
Size |
DOB |
Record |
GAA |
Save % |
SO |
Gabe Grunwald
|
Michigan (NAHL)*** |
G |
2013 |
6'3, 190
|
3-15-1993 |
0-4 |
4.56 |
.871 |
0 |
|
Kenai River (NAHL) |
|
|
|
|
1-1 |
3.14
|
.896 |
0 |
***=Not currently on active roster
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