Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy takes a look the decision by the Wisconsin Badgers to accept a non-binding verbal agreement from a 14 year old defender, just entering his freshman year of high school.

Besides being blessed with a name perfect for sports headlines, Jordan Schmaltz is an incoming freshman at Verona High School in Madison, WI and a 6-foot-1, 150 pound defenseman that recently made a non-binding oral commitment to attend the University of Wisconsin on a hockey scholarship. (I know: You usually find the uncomfortable commoditization of athletes in puberty over on Rivals. Consider this the exception.)

Though the decision seems odd now, it will become more prevalent as kids are identified at younger ages. However, watch for a good chunk of these agreements to be ignored as the kids either succumb to the pressure or peak at 15 and don’t get any better.

Kyle Kosior

Share
Published by
Kyle Kosior

Recent Posts

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel media availability on day 1 of training camp

He kicks off his first year as bench boss in Winnipeg on day 1 of…

13 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Vladislav Namestnikov

We heard from the versatile forward after the afternoon session on day 1 of training…

13 hours ago

Observations of Team Lesuk on day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp

Second group hits the ice at hockey for all centre.

14 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Nikita Chibrikov

Coming into his second training camp the Jets 2021 2nd rounder is feeling confident.

15 hours ago

Day 1 of Winnipeg Jets training camp: Josh Morrissey

Hear from number 44 after first skate of training camp.

16 hours ago