Despite the departure of assistant coach Bill Butters, all committed Wisconsin recruits have chosen to honor their commitment to the school.
Bill Butters' departure from the University of Wisconsin was an eye opener last week. The former assistant coach abruptly stepped down Wednesday citing his passion for ministry, as well as the lack of results he was seeing from his hockey disciples.
"I think I was making an impact, but not as much as needed to be," Butters said. "We have a young defensive core, and they just need a guy who is going to get them better, quicker."
"In the long run, my passion is telling my faith story."
The immediate concern was the effect of Butters' departure on the current team. The next thought that crosses your mind is the potential fallout in terms of recruiting.
Five years ago this story wouldn't have been necessary. That changed a few years ago when Wisconsin lost prized local recruit Jordan Schmaltz after the last coaching change at Wisconsin.
Schmaltz, who committed to Wisconsin at the age of 14 told me at the time that the departure of defensive coach Mark Osiecki who left to take the head coaching job at Ohio State weighed heavily in his decision to re-open his recruitment.
"Things have come up lately and obviously the leaving of (Osiecki), but that's no disrespect to the UW coaching staff," Schmaltz said. "I appreciate all coach Eaves did for me and my family at such a young age."
Schmaltz later committed to the University of North Dakota where he is now a freshman. The Verona native was also selected in the first round of last June's NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues (#25 overall).
Wisconsin currently has five committed defensive recruits, all of whom committed to the Badgers' after Butters was hired back in May of 2010.
Badger fans need not worry though, as all five confirmed to Bucky's 5th Quarter that they plan to honor their commitment to the University of Wisconsin despite Butters' resignation.
2013 Badger recruit Tim Davison said he respects Butters' decision, but that it won't affect his future plans.
"I made a commitment to UW and I will honor it," Davison said. "Coach Butters made his decision to step down because he knew in his heart that his passion was helping people with their faith."
"He is moving onto a new chapter in his life, and I have a great amount of respect for him, and his future plans. I wish him all the best."
Davison is in his first season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, and will be signing his National Letter of Intent this week during the early signing period.
One of the Badgers' more recent recruits, Keegan Ford (Dubuque, USHL) also briefly spoke about his decision to honor his commitment to UW.
"First off I just want to say that coach Butters was great to me and my family," Ford said. "I wish him the best of luck, but no, it does not change my decision."
"Coach Eaves and Coach Shuchuk are both big reasons why I committed, and with the tradition Wisconsin has as a hockey program, I know that they will bring in a great coach."
Additionally, Jake Linhart (Green Bay, USHL), Matt Berkovitz (Ashwaubenon HS), and Peter Tischke (Chicago Mission U18) all confirmed over the past few days that despite positive relationships developed with Butters, they are fully committed to joining the Badgers.
Certainly positive news for a program in dire need of some.
Player |
Team |
POS |
Arrival |
Size |
DOB |
Record |
GAA |
Save % |
SO |
Gabe Grunwald
|
Georgetown (OJHL) |
G |
2013 |
6'3, 190
|
3/15/993 |
7-3 |
2.54 |
.909 |
1 |
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