The firing of well-respected head coach Mark Osiecki at Ohio State April 15th after just three seasons in Columbus shocked the college hockey world. The former Badgers player and assistant coach had built a reputation as one of the elite defensive minds in the sport, and was creating quite the stable of top prospects.
After taking some time to process the aftermath, some of Osiecki's former recruits have chosen to pursue other opportunities. Zach Stepan, Cliff Watson and Nolan Valleau all parted ways with the program after Osiecki was let go.
Bucky's 5th Quarter learned of two more Monday, as it was confirmed to us that St. Thomas Academy defenseman Jack Dougherty and Burnsville forward Tyler Sheehy have decommitted from the program.
The 6-foot-2 Dougherty saw his stock rise last summer after an outstanding performance at the USA Hockey Select 16 Festival in New York. For his efforts, he was invited by USA Hockey to participate in the Five Nations tournament in the Czech Republic.
Sheehy hailed from the same hometown as Osiecki, Burnsville, Minn., and committed to the Buckeyes in late January 2013. Sheehy had visited Wisconsin, but did not hold an offer from the Badgers at the time of his commitment to OSU.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Sheehy recorded 22 goals and 49 points in 29 games last season for Burnsville, where he played on a line with current UW recruit Brock Boeser.
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