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Got home from my bike ride about 2:50 this afternoon almost instantaneously got a text message from Sioux Rube asking me if Gregoire had left (decided to sign a professional contract)? I then I went to the computer to see if any news was breaking on the subject and in fact it was true… Junior forward Jason Gregoire is going to forego his senior year of eligibility with the
University of North Dakota to sign a professional contract… That is a big blow to the Fighting Sioux hockey team because Gregoire is one of the best two way forwards in the WCHA. I don't think anyone is really shocked because it had been rumored for some time that Gregs was going to leave and sign, however, it's a sad day for Sioux fans non-the-less. This is what
Jason Gregoire tweeted on Twitter today - Always a tough decision to leave a place you love but I will never forget grand forks and the sioux family. Thanks for a memorable 3 years.
Finally this as well - You guys truly are the best!
#siouxforlife... Personally, I am going to miss watching him play in the green and white because he is an offensively and dynamic hockey player that will be greatly missed.
Brad Schlossman; UND Hockey Blog ---- Jason Gregoire has withdrawn from school and will sign an NHL contract this summer.
Because he’s four years removed from his draft year, Gregoire is allowed to take advantage of a loophole in the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows him to withdraw and become a free agent if he’s not signed within 30 days by the team that drafted him.
Gregoire was drafted by the New York Islanders and said it’s very much a possibility that he will sign with them, but he’s keeping his options open and he’s looking to get more information.
Minnesota’s Blake Wheeler is the only other college player known to have taken advantage of this loophole. Most players aren’t able to do it, because they don’t play a year of juniors after they were drafted.
“I hold the Islanders in the highest regard,” Gregoire said. “In no way, shape or form have I ruled them out. I just don’t have all of the information right now to make a decision.
“I think very highly of them and they think the same of me. They know what’s going to happen as far as me keeping my options open. We’ll talk some more. If they are the best option, I will go with them.”
