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Cameranesi perfect 'fit' for UMD

By Loren Nelson, Editor, 10/09/10, 8:04PM CDT

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Wayzata senior, Elite League scoring leader commits to Bulldogs

Somewhere, Tony Cameranesi lost an inch.

The Wayzata senior figured he was 5-foot-10, but during weigh-ins for the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League this fall he checked in at 5-9, 162 pounds.

“I guess I was wrong,” he said.

Not to worry.

More and more top NCAA Division I programs are enjoying success with speedy, highly skilled forwards who traditionally have been considered undersized.

For an example, look no further than the University of Minnesota-Duluth, featuring the high-scoring duo of 5-8 Jack Connolly and his 5-9 linemate Mike Connolly (no relation).

As it turns out, by “shrinking” an inch, Cameranesi is all the better fit for the Bulldogs. On Friday, Oct. 8, the Elite League scoring leader committed to play at UMD.

“Their playing style fit in really well with the way that I play,” said Cameranesi, a speed burner with a wicked shot who scored 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) in 27 games last season for Wayzata. “I really love their coaching staff. In the past they have done really well with the smaller forwards that have kind of the same skill set that I do.”

Cameranesi chose UMD over Colorado College and the Minnesota State-Mankato. He visited those three schools, and said he liked them all.

“But I kind of knew in my gut that (UMD) was the right place for me,” he said.

Before this season, the Bulldogs added former Cloquet and Bulldogs standout Derek Plante to their coaching staff. The 5-11, 181-pound Plante played in eight NHL seasons, and Cameranesi said Plante’s presence in the program will only enhance UMD’s development of its forwards.

After registering a hat trick in Team Northwest’s 6-5 victory over Team Southeast on Sunday, Oct. 10, Cameranesi bumped his scoring totals to 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 15 games. Edina’s Jake Sampson of Team Northeast ranks second in the scoring race with 22 points.

“Obviously I was hoping that I could play well and put up some points,” Cameranesi said about his Elite League success. “I couldn’t really imagine this.”

Cameranesi is one of four Minnesota high school players heading into the season who have committed to Division I programs. Virginia’s Garrett Hendrickson (St. Cloud State), Eden Prairie’s Kyle Rau (Minnesota) and Blake’s Ryan Bullock (Dartmouth) are the others.
Last season there were 37 state high school players who committed to Division I programs.

Wayzata coach Carl Davis said that beyond Cameranesi’s obvious offensive skills is a commitment to playing hard-nosed defense.

“I think he really works hard on his game away from the shot and the speed that everyone sees,” Davis said. “He’s a great center in the D zone picking up guys.”

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2010-11 Minnesota High School Division I Recruits

Name High School Year Pos. College Verbal Commit
Josh Archibald Brainerd Senior F Nebraska-Omaha Yes
Tim Bonner Osseo Senior F Yale Yes
Jonny Brodzinski Blaine Senior F St. Cloud State Yes
Ryan Bullock Blake Senior D Dartmouth Yes
Tony Cameranesi Wayzata Senior F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Patrick Daly Benilde-St. Margaret's Senior D Wisconsin Yes
Max Everson Edina Senior D Harvard Yes
Steven Fogarty Edina Senior F Notre Dame Yes
Tyler Heinonen Delano Senior F Michigan Tech Yes
Garrett Hendrickson Virginia Senior F St. Cloud State Yes
Adam Johnson Hibbing Sophomore F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Bob Kinne Cretin-Derham Hall Senior F Bemidji State Yes
Joseph LaBate Holy Angels Senior F Wisconsin Yes
Ross Luedtke Orono Senior F Air Force Academy Yes
Alex Lyon Lake of the Woods Senior G Yale Yes
Justin Kloos Lakeville South Junior F Minnesota Yes
A.J. Michaelson Apple Valley Junior F Minnesota Yes
Bill Norman Rochester Mayo Senior D Maine Yes
Kyle Rau Eden Prairie Senior F Minnesota Yes
Brady Riesgraf Holy Family Catholic Senior D Bemidji State Yes
Zach Schroeder St. Thomas Academy Senior F RPI Yes
Kevin Schulze Hill-Murray Senior D Wisconsin Yes
Nick Seeler Eden Prairie Senior D Nebraska-Omaha Yes
Michael Sit Edina Senior F Boston College Yes
Garrett Skrbich Hermantown Senior F Princeton Yes
Eddie Wittchow Burnsville Senior D Wisconsin Yes

Is a current Minnesota high school player missing from our list of recruits? Send us an e-mail