Wisconsin hockey recruiting: Madison West product Mick Messner commits to the Badgers

	Class	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight
	2017 or '18	Forward	Left	5'11	185
	Team		Hometown		DOB
	Madison West high school		Madison, Wis.		4/20/1999

Wisconsin received huge news Friday morning when Mick Messner announced his commitment to play college hockey for the Badgers.

Proud and honored to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin. Thanks to all that have helped me get to this point. #GoBucky

— Mick Messner (@MGMESS) January 30, 2015

When reached for comment, Messner said he's been dreaming about this day for a long time.

"It feels great," Messner said. "It's been my dream to play there ever since I was little. I used to skate between periods at the Kohl Center during the mighty mites thing."

The forward from Madison West high school is considered one of the top power forwards in the 1999 birth year in the United States. Messner said he enjoyed recruiting visits to Western Michigan, Yale and Providence, but nothing compared to Wisconsin.

"(The visit to) Wisconsin was unreal," Messner said. "It was just crazy -- I loved the facilities. The locker room was one of the best I've seen. It was just beautiful -- amazing."

Messner, who also skates for the Team Wisconsin U16 program before and after the high school season, has recorded 13 goals and 22 points for Madison West through 19 games this season. Messner is also a cousin of former Badger and current NHLer Jack Skille.

"I've always looked up to him and always wanted to play (at Wisconsin). I've been hanging out with him every summer -- he's been teaching me how to shoot pucks, stuff like that."

That training seems to be paying off, as the biggest asset Messner possesses is his ability to shoot the puck. Not only can he pick corners at will, Messner has one of the quickest releases of anyone at the U16 level.

At 5'11, 185-pounds Messner has a thick frame and isn't afraid of getting dirty in the corners when necessary. Messner will have to continue working on his top-end speed, but he should be a fine college player by the time he's ready to come to campus.

It's not set in stone what year Messner will join the Badgers. Depending on his development and early departures, Messner could come to Madison in either 2017 or '18.

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