Trotter update

Mike Chambers The Denver Post blogger updates the Trotter situation. This thing is really getting weird. One can only wonder what is going on, I just hope it works out for this kid.

Following up on a rumor, I spoke with USHL president Gino Gasparini tonight, and he denied recently seeing DU sophomore Brock Trotter in Lincoln, Neb. Trotter played junior-A for the Lincoln Stars, and the rumor is he’s returning to the Stars and steering his career from there.

Gasparini, however, did say he “heard” Trotter was in Lincoln from “a third or fourth party.”

Going back to junior-A has some merit, but only if the Stars or another team has room to handle one of four “over-age” players, which Trotter is. He turned 21 on Jan. 16. I learned that the Stars have four over-age guys, and the team is doing well and not likely to cut a kid to make room for Trotter.

However, DU’s delay in announcing what is going on with Trotter might have something to do with negociating his release. Gasparini and I aren’t sure about this, but releasing him from his scholarship might allow him to transfer to a Division I school and become eligible one year (next January) from his scholarship “termination.” Trotter last played for DU on Jan. 19 against Bemidji State, then the Pioneers had a week off. I didn’t attend practices during their off week, so maybe Trotter actually left the team as early as Jan. 21 or so.

But what if DU doesn’t grant Trotter his release? Then … a) the kid might be coming back to DU; b) he transfers but sits out next season, burning his junior year (he took a redshirt/hardship in 2005-06 because of injury five games into the season, but depending on how the NCAA views his hardship year, he might get another year); c) He moves on to a professional career.

Anyway, much of the above is speculation by Gasparini and me, so be kind with your comments if we’re off the mark on some things.