The mass exodus of players at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute continues, as they have now lost two great underclassmen hockey players. Seems a little late to me and almost borderline unethical for professional teams to be signing college players this close to the beginning of the school year. Like another hockey blogger mentioned, there is probably no way that RPI can adequately replace this player without pulling a recruit that may or may not be ready to play this season in college.
Yahoo Sports - Less than two weeks after losing forward Jerry D’Amigo, another crack in the foundation is looming for the RPI Engineers.
Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that star centre Brandon Pirri is set to play with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL this season and that he has already agreed in principal to a three-year entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Like D’Amigo, the signing would end his NCAA eligibility after one season with the Eastern College Athletic Conference school located in Troy, New York.
The news comes less than two weeks after RPI lost ECAC rookie of the year D’Amigo—who left the school after signing a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Right-winger Jordan Watts also left the program recently over ice time and transferred to Division III Adrian College.
According to sources, Pirri has already told RPI head coach Seth Appert of his intention to leave school and sign with the Blackhawks.
Appert did not reply to an email request for an interview.
