Is Van Riemsdyk moving up?

With articles like this you have to wonder if JVR is one of the next collegiate hockey players to forgo the rest of his eligibility to make a living playing hockey in the NHL? Based on his play in college this season it wouldn't be a stretch to think van Riemsdyke (12g-23a-40 points) could play in the NHL right now.

In Van Riemsdyk, Flyers Might Still Have an Ace Up Their Sleeve
With van Riemsdyk’s University of New Hampshire eliminated from the NCAA postseason on Sunday, he is free to leave college behind and join the professional ranks at any time.

Van Riemsdyk was already given a long look in training camp this past Sept. before he ultimately opted to return to UNH for his sophomore year.

The Flyers were reportedly miffed at his decision not to turn pro, but the move worked out for van Riemsdyk, as he led the Wildcats in scoring and cemented his reputation as the top prospect in college hockey.

He also starred again at the World Junior Championship for Team USA, finishing seventh in scoring after leading the entire tournament the previous year.

His recent body of work speaks for itself, and he is clearly ready to take the step to the NHL. But the decision about whether or not to ink his first professional contract within the next few weeks will rest with van Riemsdyk alone, as Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has made it clear that he will not pressure his top prospect to sign.


Not only would his turning pro give the Flyers a shot in the arm for the rest of the season, but the move makes financial sense for van Riemsdyk, whose stock will never be higher than it is now. And with the salary cap slated to go down in the coming years, he and all young players should strike while the iron is hot.

In an ideal situation, the Flyers would bring the second overall pick of the 2007 draft into the fold for the final three or four games of the regular season as a trial run.

And even if they did not have full confidence in throwing him into the playoff machine, regular practice with the team and witnessing the intensity of the games in person could only help his growth.