:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28245171/flag.0.jpg)
 |
Class |
Position |
Shoots |
Height |
Weight |
|
2016 |
Center |
Left |
6'2 |
180 |
|
|
Team |
Hometown |
DOB |
|||
|
St. Louis Blues AAA U16 |
Ladue, Mo. |
2/11/1998 |
|||
With a big series on tap vs. No. 1 Minnesota this week, Wisconsin brought in another big-time visitor to check out the campus.
1998-born center prospect Trent Frederic was at the Kohl Center Thursday night to see the Badgers take down the top-ranked Gophers.
Frederic currently skates for the St. Louis Blues AAA U16 program, where he leads the team in scoring with 19 goals and 50 points in 47 games.
Wisconsin has done very well recently recruiting out of the St. Louis area. Former Badgers Michael Davies and John Ramage both were from the area, and the Badgers have received verbal commitments from goaltender Luke Opilka and Luke Kunin, who both skated for the same St. Louis AAA U16 team last season. Both Opilka and Kunin have since moved on to the U.S. NTDP U17 team.
At 6'2, 180-pounds, Frederic is an imposing force just days shy of his 16th birthday. It also appears as if he has room to grow after seeing his parents at the Kohl Center Thursday night.
According to Kerry Preete, who was Frederic's coach last season with the U14 St. Louis AAA squad, Frederic plays a power game.
"Trent's a heck of a hockey player," Preete said. "In the past couple months he's really come on. At this age, I don't really want to label a kid, but he's one of those guys you label as a constant power forward. He plays well at both ends of the ice; he can move the puck; he's got good vision."
It's very likely Frederic follows Opilka and Kunin to the NTDP. Sources have indicated Frederic is one of the players they are targeting for the U17 team next season.
One interesting dynamic is the fact Kunin and Frederic could potentially come in together as freshmen. Kunin is a late 1997 recruit, meaning, like Frederic, he's still a sophomore in high school. While there has been some discussion about accelerating to join the 2015 Wisconsin recruiting class, that has yet to become official.
Another interesting connection is Frederic's brother, Grant, who currently plays junior hockey for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL. Grant attended last night's game along with Trent, and also happens to be teammates in Janesville with Alex Shuchuk, who is the son of Wisconsin assistant coach Gary.
For more hockey coverage, follow Andy on Twitter -- Follow @AndyJohnsonB5Q
You can also reach Andy via e-mail (AndyJohnsonB5Q@gmail.com)
