Toews to return to UND?

Toews

Long Off Season

I have to admit that I really hate the offseason, that voidd where there is no hockey for like another 3 months. The offseason that the various message boards turn into a giant moronathon. A classic example of what I am talking aboutThis offseason is especially tough causing me much angst and causing me to be on the cusp of a nervous wreck. This tough offseason started almost at the beginning of the last horn of UND's Frozen Four appearance. Since that horn the Fighting Sioux hockey team has looked more like a sinking ship with many players making the jump to the next level.

It seems like every available draft choice is heading for the exits with big money waiting in the wings. Now again I don't fault these kids for taking the money, I would do the same thing in a heart bea, but it really has been a tough offseason to take, its worse than the offseason when we lost Zach. Hockey Futures Article However, cross your fingers there may actually be some good news.

The Hawks have one of the top rated groups of future talent (ranked 4th by Hockey’s Future) and this class should help build on an already talented core.

Jonathan Toews, C/W – Univ of North Dakota (NCAA)
3rd overall, 6’1 195

In picking Jonathan Toews, the Hawks made a ‘safe’ pick of a player who was the most complete forward in the draft, eschewing the flashier Phil Kessel and Niklas Backstrom. The youngest player in college hockey (born April 29, 1988), the 6’1, 195 lb center was second among all college freshmen in scoring with 22 goals, including nine goals on the power play. He also finished third on the team with a plus/minus of +20. Before North Dakota, he played with the highly-regarded Shattuck-St. Mary’s program.

Toews’ stock skyrocketed in the second half of the season as he helped the Fighting Sioux capture the Broadmoor Cup (WCHA Playoff Championship) as well as earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He scored 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in his final 24 games of the season. Toews’ memorable performance in the NCAA Tournament West Regional earned MVP honors, as his two goals and three assists helped lead North Dakota to their second consecutive Frozen Four appearance.

In 2005, he captained Canada’s Team Western to a gold medal at the World U-17 Tournament in Lethbridge, AB as well as earned tournament’s MVP honor. In 2003, Toews was the top selection in the WHL Bantam Draft, taken by the Tri-City Americans. But he opted to go the NCAA route rather than the major junior route.

Toews will continue with North Dakota in 2006-07.