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UW men's hockey: Eau Claire's Dahl 'always wanted to be a Badger'

Todd D. Milewski  —  5/28/2008 6:51 am

Jefferson Dahl found out where he'd be playing junior hockey while surfing the Web during English class at Eau Claire Memorial High School two weeks ago.

It was during a more conventional, face-to-face meeting Tuesday that he found out exactly how interested University of Wisconsin coaches are in having him join the team once he's done in juniors. He was quick to accept their partial scholarship offer.

Dahl, the Wisconsin prep player of the year who helped the Old Abes to a perfect season and a state championship, gave Badgers coaches a verbal commitment to come to UW starting in the 2010-11 season.

"When I went down for the visit (Tuesday), seeing the facilities and meeting with the coaching staff, I really felt comfortable," Dahl said. "I felt like it was a no-brainer."

An 18-year-old center, Dahl amassed 36 goals and 76 points in 26 games as a senior at Memorial. His plus/minus rating was plus-59 in his final season and plus-155 for his career.

Dahl believes his defensive awareness is his best asset and credits his hockey smarts for helping him be in the right place at the right time.

He also was talking to Notre Dame and Yale, although he didn't visit either school. Wisconsin assistant coach Kevin Patrick made contact with him in December and recently set up Dahl's trip to UW.

"I've always wanted to be a Badger," Dahl said, "and when I got notice that they were interested, it was kind of set in stone then."

The Des Moines Buccaneers owned Dahl's rights in the United States Hockey League, but he was included as part of the draft-day trade with the Green Bay Gamblers that sent goaltender and UW recruit Aaron Crandall to Des Moines.

Dahl found out about the change in his future plans not through a phone call but by keeping an eye on the May 14 draft proceedings during class. Teammate and classmate David Donnellan was looking to see where he was selected, and the trade news came up on the top of the screen.

Dahl said he has family in Green Bay with whom he'll be able to live.

The last two summers, Dahl, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, has missed conditioning time while rehabilitating after shoulder surgeries -- one on each arm. This summer should be different, leading him into an expected two-year stint in juniors that he hopes will prepare him for the next level.

"I'm looking forward to just getting physically stronger so when I do step in there for the Badgers I will be able to play right away," he said.

Dahl has some business to attend to in the meantime. He has final exams Wednesday and Thursday and graduation on Sunday.

He's also going after a second perfect season as the second baseman for the 19-0 Eau Claire Memorial baseball team, which hosts Wisconsin Rapids in the regional finals on Friday.

"The last month has just been unbelievable," Dahl said.

Dahl is the third player known to have given Badgers coaches a verbal commitment for 2010, joining forward Tyler Lapic of New Prague, Minn., and defenseman Chase Drake of Mosinee. Drake also is scheduled to play for the Gamblers the next two seasons.

tmilewski@madison.com

Todd D. Milewski  —  5/28/2008 6:51 am