Bemidji State men's hockey: Matt Read forgoes NHL offers, will return for senior season

Coach Serratore just breathed a sigh of relief when he found out that his top player Matt Read is coming back next season for his senior year. Also, good news (or bad news, depending how you look at it) for WCHA fans will get to chance to see Matt Read play for the Beavers.

As collegiate hockey teams end their seasons each year, a list develops naming the players who decided to leave school early to sign professional contracts.

This year was no exception: Jordan Schroeder from Minnesota; Marc Cheverie, Patrick Wiercioch and Joe Colborne of Denver; and Zach Dalpe of Ohio State, to name a few, gave up collegiate eligibility to sign with the pros.

For most of Bemidji State’s 11-year history as a NCAA Division I program, the early departures were mainly high draft choices from the elite programs in the nation. Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan and the like routinely lost high-end players each year.

Bemidji State lost its first player to the pros last year as goalie Matt Dalton gave up his final two years of college eligibility to sign with the Boston Bruins organization. Dalton’s signing, however, was the result of spectacular stretch run to end the regular season and an amazing drive to the Frozen Four.

But this year, things were different. This time around there was a local connection; a player who was on everyone’s radar from Day 1 of the season.

At Bemidji State, speculation swirled around junior center Matt Read and whether he would return for his senior season. Professional scouts were in attendance at every game the Beavers played this year, evaluating Read, whom head coach Tom Serratore called the most sought-after junior year free agent in the nation.

Read, who became Bemidji State’s first NCAA Division I All-American on Friday, ended all the speculation this week.

“It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Read said. “As of now, I’m coming back to Bemidji State to complete my degree and play my final year of college hockey. Something very monumental would have to happen for that to change.

“I turned down some good offers from National Hockey League teams. It all came down to should I play in the NHL now, or come back to BSU and get my degree. Right now, I think it’s the best thing to come back.”
[Bemidji Pioneer]