Badger Hockey Recruit Review: Seamus Malone, Dubuque Fighting Saints

	Class	Position	Hand	Height	Weight
	2015	Forward	Left	5-9	158
	Team		Hometown		DOB
	Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)		Naperville, Ill.		5/6/1996

Verbal Commitment

Wisconsin has recruited the Chicago area hard over the past few seasons, and added another big piece to its future in landing a verbal commitment from then-Chicago Mission U16 forward Seamus Malone in March 2012.

"It goes without saying that Wisconsin is a top-notch school, but for me, the hockey staff was my primary motivation," Malone told Bucky's 5th Quarter after the commitment. "I truly believe they can take my hockey skills to the next level and mold me into a premier player. Plus the facilities are state-of-the art."

Coach Comments

Dubuque Fighting Saints Head Coach Jim Montgomery on Seamus Malone:
(Note: Montgomery has recently been hired as the new head coach at the University of Denver)

"Seamus has continued to get better and better every month," Montgomery told Bucky's 5th Quarter in February. "He's a dynamic player that Badger fans are going to have fun watching."

On Malone being selected for the USA U-17 team for the Five Nations Tournament in Finland:

"I think it does a lot for a player," Montgomery said. "Anytime you are recognized and you are selected to represent your country, or selected for an All-Star type event it makes you feel good and makes you believe you are doing a lot of good things, and he has done a lot of good things for us."

Scouting Report

U.S. Hockey Report notes on Malone from Select 16's (July 2012):
Note: USHR ranked Malone as the No. 4 forward at Select 16's

"Is not very big or fast, but his stick skills were far and away the best here. Carries the puck on a string. When paired with skilled players the Wisconsin recruit does nothing but make plays. Really elevates the play of his teammates when he is on the ice. Is the type of player who everyone wishes they had on their line. Will be an excellent college player. The Chicago Mission alum is slated to play for Dubuque (USHL) this coming season and we feel he will flourish under Jim Montgomery."

Malone had an outstanding rookie season in the USHL, helping Dubuque to regular and postseason championships. Malone was used in all situations, including at times on the point on the power play.

While not big in stature, Malone isn't afraid to play with a physical edge to his game. Malone likes to get his nose dirty and skates with an aggressiveness that makes him very fun to watch. Malone is an elite offensive talent, and appears to be one of the top recruits in the country for 2015.

Statistics

2012-13 (Dubuque, USHL): 59 games, 8 goals, 22 assists, 30 points, 44 PIM, +13

2011-12 (Chicago Mission U16): 28 games, 13 goals, 20 assists, 33 points, 65 PIM

Honors

-- Named to the USA U-17 team for the Five Nations Tournament in Finland (February, 2013)

-- Named to the USA U-17 team for the Five Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic (July, 2012)

-- Participated in the USA Hockey Select 16 Festival in Rochester, N.Y. (July, 2012)

-- Named to the USA Hockey Select 16 All-Star game in Rochester, N.Y. (July, 2012)

-- Participated in the USA Hockey Select 15 Festival in Rochester, N.Y. (July, 2011)

Recent Press

Naperville Sun: Going it alone allows Malone to excel (April, 2013)

B5Q: Wisconsin recruit Seamus Malone added to Team USA roster (February, 2013)

THOnline: Fighting Saints' Malone earns shot with Team USA (February, 2013)

B5Q: Hockey recruit Seamus Malone helps USA to gold medal (August, 2012)

B5Q: New hockey recruit Seamus Malone talks Badger commitment (March, 2012)

Twitter

@seamus_malone

Additional Info

There has been speculation that Malone may try to accelerate his high school studies -- much like current Badgers Michael Mersch and Jake McCabe -- to come to Wisconsin for the fall of 2014, instead of 2015. According to Dubuque head coach Jim Montgomery, it appears that the plan right now is to keep the status quo with Malone's timeline to Madison.

"We've discussed it with Seamus, but it would be too difficult -- taxing academically and athletically," Montgomery told Bucky's 5th Quarter in February. "The journey of hockey, you are better off always taking your time rather than accelerating. You try to do too much and then it starts to affect your on ice performance. I believe 99 percent he's committed to the going the longer route."

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