Been at this racket a spell -- kind way of saying I'm older than dirt -- and don't put a lot of stock in stats from college recruits.
Plenty of guys have come to UAA, and other schools, after posting decent or strong numbers in junior, and then not done a whole lot in the college game. Back when I was very young and there were two newspapers in town, Tom Peterson of the Anchorage Times used to grin every now and then when a big-number recruit put yet another shot on a Grade A scoring opportunity into the crest on the goaltender's sweater. "Yeah,'' Tom used to muse, "but he scored a million goals in junior.''
Likewise, some guys hit the NCAA and put up better numbers than they did in junior. Plenty of explanations both ways: Some guys are late developers, some guys put up good numbers in junior because they played with a sensational linemate, or on a very strong team, and some guys get relegated to roles that don't allow their numbers to flourish.
In any event, UAA's latest recruit is Kip Hoffman, an 18-year-old forward from the NAHL's Janesville Jets, who delivered modest numbers last season -- 2-11--13 totals and a +3 rating in 42 games. Two goals in 42 games doesn't tantalize. Still, we'll give him is 18-year-old season to see if he makes a significant jump. He won't be a Seawolf for a season or two. Maybe he's a late bloomer and UAA's signing will turn out to be a steal. Maybe he'll be a guy who fills a depth role -- say checking line and PK duty -- wonderfully. And maybe he'll just be a guy trying to crack the lineup each weekend.
Hell, who knows? Best to withhold judgment until the kid gets here, and then we'll see where he fits and what he delivers.