2011 NHL Entry Draft: Frankie Simonelli - Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Top Prospect
Frankie Simonelli is living his dream while playing at the University of Wisconsin for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and might even be getting a better chance as now he has become one of the top prospects for the National Hockey League
(NHL) in the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota from 24th to 25th of June, 2011.
Currently after his freshman year at the university, Simonelli has been ranked as the 154th prospect on the NHL’s central scouting list for North American hockey players.
"By the end of the year, Frankie was playing his best hockey -- which is a real positive for him as a true freshman", Wisconsin’s coach, Mike Eaves, said. "He's got great character and he's a hard-working individual, if you have players like Frankie, there's
a good chance you’re going to be successful".
The American native from Bensenville, Illinois, also took part in the U.S. National Team Development Program for two seasons before moving into the college level of playing.
According to scouting agents who have been observing the 18-year-old, have said that his frame might be small as compared to the other players, 5’11, 190lbs, but he makes up for his deficiency by executing planned out manoeuvres and showing that his mind
is able to quickly generate plays.
Simonelli also uses his brother Jeremy as a source of motivation who introduced him to the game.
Jeremy went on to gain a college degree which overcame his love for hockey, but Frankie looks to chase his sports dream and achieve it for not only him but also his brother.
"My brother is definitely an inspiration because he worked hard his whole life and always wanted to have a chance to play in the NHL", Frankie said. "Unfortunately, time sort of ran out on his hockey career, so it always gives me an extra boost to work extra
hard and play for him".
With the USNTDP, Simonelli remained the second highest scorer as a defenseman on the team for two consecutive seasons where he registered 31 and 15 points in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons, respectively.
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