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Wisconsin hockey recruiting: Edmonton forward Cameron Hughes scheduled for visit

Needing to replace six departing seniors at forward, the Badgers are bringing in Edmonton's Cameron Hughes for a campus visit.

By Andy Johnson
Larry Radloff Photography

Class

Position

Shoots

Height

Weight

2014

Forward

Left

5'11

160

Team

Hometown

DOB

Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)

Edmonton, Alberta

10/9/1996

For the second consecutive week, the Badgers will be hosting a very important visitor on campus. Last week, blue-chip defenseman Dante Fabbro came to Madison on an unofficial visit. This week, Wisconsin will be hosting Alberta forward Cameron Hughes.

With games Friday and Saturday in the AJHL, Hughes won't be able to make it to Wisconsin until Sunday for his visit.

Known as an elite skater, Hughes has registered 12 goals and 30 points in 28 games this season for Spruce Grove. In a league traditionally dominated by 19- and 20-year-olds, the Edmonton native is one of just two 17-year-olds in the league currently averaging more than one point per game.

Earlier this fall, Hughes represented Canada-West at the World Junior A Challenge, winning a bronze medal in the process. Hughes was one of just five 1996-born players on the roster, but finished second in points on the team with one goal and four assists in the four-game tournament.

As is the case with most elite Western Canadian talents, Hughes has been selected in the WHL draft. The Swift Current Broncos own Hughes' rights after selecting him in the 9th round of the 2011 Bantam draft. While the WHL is obviously still an option, Hughes is fully expected to go the college route. A source has indicated Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota have also shown interest in the Edmonton native.

Hughes would be an important piece to Wisconsin's 2014 recruiting class that is lacking bodies up front. The Badgers signed U.S. NTDP winger Ryan Wagner and BCHL center Matt Ustaski to letters of intent in the early signing period, but UW needs to replace six departing seniors at the position.

Wisconsin also faces the prospects of potentially losing underclassmen Nic Kerdiles and Joseph LaBate to the NHL in the offseason. Adding a player of Hughes' caliber would go a long way in easing the turnover at the forward position for next season.

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