THE UNH MEN'S HOCKEY BLOG: Anthony Wyse: UNH Freshman Defenseman with High Hockey IQ

Anthony Wyse - UNH Defense #21

Background

The Lincoln Stars selected defenseman Anthony Wyse in the first round of the 2014 USHL Phase II Draft (5th overall pick). At the time, he was a top defender with the Boston Advantage U18 team in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. Unfortunately, before the Stars' Summer 2014 training camp, doctors discovered a torn labrum in each of Anthony's hips. Wyse underwent surgery and missed the entire 2014-15 season. After a 10-month recovery period, Wyse played all of last season with the Stars.

In his rookie season in the USHL, Wyse scored 2 goals and 17 assists in 54 games. He tied for 11th in power play assists (10) among all USHL players. He was the Stars' starting left defenseman and played on their first penalty kill unit. Wyse originally committed to Dartmouth College in 2014. After difficulties with their admissions process, he committed to UNH in March. Anthony turned 20 years old at the end of March.

Anthony Wyse
Last Team: Lincoln Stars
United States Hockey League
DOB: 3-29-1996 Hometown: Newtown, MA
Defense, 6'3", 225 lbs. Shoots Left
Commit to UNH: 2-24-2016 at Age 19 years, 11 months.
Signed National Letter of Intent: 4-15-2016

Coach's Report

Throughout the 2015-16 regular season and USHL playoffs, Anthony Wyse was coached by Chris Hartsburg, Head Coach of the Lincoln Stars. Over the weekend, I had an opportunity to interview Coach Hartsburg regarding Wyse's strengths and readiness for NCAA hockey:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): What are Anthony's strengths and how did he develop during his season with the Stars?

Coach Chris Hartsburg: Anthony's biggest asset is his Hockey IQ, he understands the game at a very high level, being a defenseman that could be the most important attribute you would want. After missing an entire year of hockey his progression throughout the year was certainly trending upward. His last year of hockey was at the Midget level so there were quite a few habits that he had to break in order to be successful at the junior level. Moving pucks quicker, maintaining gaps, stick placement and taking the rush were a few things he needed to work on and he certainly was able to accept coaching and get better in those areas as the year progressed.

Mike Lowry: What kind of adjustments will he need to make as he begins his NCAA career?

Coach Hartsburg: Anthony is a big young man so he is going to really have to focus on improving his foot speed and small area quickness. As you move up to each level things always happen faster so he is going to have to continue to do things quicker with the puck on his stick.

Scouting Report from Neutral Zone**

"Wyse, out of the Boston Advantage program, is in his first year in the USHL, although he doesn't play like a rookie. He's a two way defenseman who uses his size and strength to keep opponents off balance and has the athleticism to hold and make plays at the offensive blue line. He's able to dig in and accelerate backwards and maintain solid gap control on forwards coming down the ice. He's got a strong stick and uses it along the boards and in the corners to win battles. A high potential prospect who will get better and better with experience."

Rating - 4 out 5 Stars.

National Ranking - Among the top 25, 1996-born defensemen evaluated by Neutral Zone Scouts, Anthony Wyse was ranked #9.

According to neutralzone.net, their national rankings break players down into birth years and ranks them against all other college hockey prospects throughout North America. Nationally ranked players have been seen by their Neutral Zone regional scout and then cross-referenced with a national Neutral Zone scout as well. Then the players are graded on over 20 different categories and put into the national database where they are tracked throughout the season. Every player on this list has been seen by multiple scouts in multiple viewings to arrive at their final rank.

** Reprinted by permission of Brendan Collins, Director of Scouting at Neutral Zone.