The mass exodus at Denver University continues as they lose another underclassman to the NHL. Wiercioch is an elite player and I don't think this signing surprises anyone. First round draft choices don't stay in school for four seasons very often, unless they want to test the free agency market. The big question mark for Denver University is whether Marc Cheverie is going to sign a professional contract with the Florida Panthers or not?
OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has signed defenceman Patrick Wiercioch to a three-year entry-level contract.
Wiercioch, 19, was the Senators’ second-round pick (42nd overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Burnaby, B.C., he concluded his second season at the Western Collegiate Athletic Conference’s University of Denver on March 26 when the Pioneers fell to the Rochester Institute of Technology in the National Collegiate Athletic Association East Regional semifinals. In 39 games with Denver this season, the 6-4, 190-pound Wiercioch scored six goals and 21 assists while adding 34 penalty minutes.
In his rookie season at Denver, Wiercioch scored 12 goals and added 23 assists for 35 points in 36 games. For his efforts he was named to the all-WCHA second team and all-WCHA rookie team. His 12 goals led all NCAA rookie defencemen and ranked third among all NCAA defencemen.
Prior to his arrival in Denver, Wiercioch played one season for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League, where he scored three goals and 18 assists in 40 games. In the 2006-07 season he scored nine goals and added 16 assists for the Burnaby Express of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he was recognized as the league’s rookie of the year.
Most DU fans expected Colborne and Wiercioch to leave early, perhaps not the same week, but early nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteChevy could wait to test the free agent market this summer as he has played 4 years since being drafted. Florida currently lists 2 other goalies above Chevy in their prospect list.