Why I Chose Petry #1

There has been a bit of a debate as to why a soon to be 21 year old that has yet to play in the pro game, and who is said to still be developing is worthy of the #1 ranking.

For one thing, when a player plays in an inferior league, they more than likely won't be at the top of their game right away. I compared Petry favorably to Tom Gilbert. Let's take a closer look...

Jeff Petry 6'3" 200lbs. shoots right DOB 12/9/87

2005-06 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL
Age by the end of the season 18
48gp. 1-14-15 68pim.

2006-07 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL
Age by the end of the season 19
55gp. 18-27-45 71pim.

2007-08 Michigan State University NCAA
Age by the end of the season 20
42gp. 3-21-24 28pim.


Tom Gilbert 6'3" 210lbs. shoots right DOB 1/10/83

2000-01 Chicago Steel USHL
Age by the end of the season 18
1gp. 0-0-0 0pim.

2001-02 Chicago Steel USHL
Age by the end of the season 19
57gp. 13-15-28 62pim.

2002-03 U. of Wisconsin
NCAA Age by the end of the season 20
39gp. 7-13-20 36pim.

2003-04 U. of Wisconsin
NCAA Age by the end of the season 21
39gp. 6-15-21 36pim.

2004-05 U. of Wisconsin
NCAA Age by the end of the season 22
41gp. 8-9-17 48pim.

2005-06 U. of Wisconsin
NCAA Age by the end of the season 23
41gp. 11-19-30 28pim.


Petry had more points in his Freshman season than Gilbert did in any year except his Senior season at Wisconsin. Petry also had far better USHL numbers, and their age difference is all of 1 month at the same time that they played in their respective seasons.

So who here wouldn't mind a more physical, faster, and harder shooting Tom Gilbert? Sounds like a pretty promising player in my books.