NCAA Hockey: Early Departures

Jaycob Megna, defense, UNO, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Josh Manson, defense, NE, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Ryan Faragher, goalie, SCSU, junior, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Nic Kerdiles, forward, UW, sophomore, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Gustav Olofsson, defense, C.C., freshman, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Kevin Czuczman, defense, LSSU, junior, NY Islanders (NHL)
Caleb Herbert, forward, UMD, junior, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Phil Di Giuseppe, forward, UM, junior, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Alex Guptill, forward, UM, junior, Dallas Stars (NHL)
Ryan Dzingel, forward, OSU, junior, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Bryce Van Brabant, forward, QU, Junior, Calgary Flames (NHL)
Ryan Haggerty, forward, RPI, Jr. NY Rangers (NHL)
Mike Zalewski, forward, RPI, sophomore, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Matt Carey, forward, SLU, freshman, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Trevor van Riemdsyk, defense, UNH, junior, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Josh Archibald, freshman, forward, UNO, junior, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Christian Folin, defense, UML, sophomore, Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Connor Hellebuyck, goalie, UML, sophomore, Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Scott Wilson, forward, UML, junior, Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Pheonix Copley, goalie, MTU, sophomore, Washington capitals (NHL)
Jake McCabe, defense, UW, junior, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jordan Oesterl, defense, WMU, junior, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Ryan Carpenter, forward, BGSU, junior, Worcester Sharks (AHL)

Breakdown of early Departures

UMD: 1
UW: 1
RPI: 2
UNO: 2
OSU: 1
UMICH: 2
BGSU: 1
NU: 1
WMU: 1
UNH: 1
C.C.: 1
SLU: 1

SCSU: 1
UML: 3
MTU: 1
QU: 1
LSSU:1

NCHC Hockey: Total of the Early Departures

With the hockey season approaching, I would think that the NCHC is done with its early departures.

Colorado College (0)

None

Denver (3)

Scott Mayfield So. D NY Islanders (NHL), April 5
Juho Olkinoura So. G Winnipeg (NHL), April 7 (FA)
Nick Shore Jr. F Los Angeles (NHL), April 12

Miami (0)

None

Minnesota Duluth (1)

Chris Casto So. D Boston (NHL), March 26 (FA)

Nebraska-Omaha (2)

Andrej Sustr Jr. D Tampa Bay (NHL), March 21 (FA)
Tony Turgeon Jr. D San Antonio (AHL), July 18 (FA)

North Dakota (1)

Derek Forbort Jr. D Los Angeles (NHL), April 5

St. Cloud State (1)

Nick Jensen Jr. D Detroit (NHL), May 2

Western Michigan (1)

Danny DeKeyser Jr. D Detroit (NHL), March 29 (FA)

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)
• Nchc Championship Tickets on Sale Now to General Public (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCHC UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE - NCHCHockey.com (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

List of 2013 Early Departures

Boston University

Matt Nieto Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 1

Dartmouth

Matt Lindblad Jr. F Boston (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Denver

Scott Mayfield So. D NY Islanders (NHL), April 5
Juho Olkinoura So. G Winnipeg (NHL), April 7 (FA)
Nick Shore Jr. F Los Angeles (NHL), April 12

Lake Superior State

Kellan Lain Jr. F Vancouver (NHL), March 16 (FA)
Buddy Robinson So. F Ottawa (NHL), March 25 (FA)

Massachusetts

Conor Allen Jr. D NY Rangers (NHL), March 29 (FA)


UMass Lowell

Chad Ruhwedel Jr. D Buffalo (NHL), April 12 (FA)

Michigan

Jon Merrill Jr. D New Jersey (NHL), March 29
Jacob Trouba Fr. D. Winnipeg Jets (NHL), April 02

Minnesota

Mark Alt Jr. D Philadelphia (NHL), April 5
Nick Bjugstad Jr. F Florida (NHL), April 3
Zach Budish Jr. F Nashville (NHL), April 3
Erik Haula Jr. F Minnesota (NHL), April 7
Nate Schmidt Jr. D Washington (NHL), April 2 (FA)

Minnesota Duluth

Chris Casto So. D Boston (NHL), March 26 (FA)
Drew Olson Sr. D Peoria (AHL), April 10

Nebraska-Omaha

Tony Turgeon Jr. D San Antonio (AHL), July 15 (FA)
Andrej Sustr Jr. D Tampa Bay (NHL), March 21 (FA)

Niagara

Carsen Chubak Jr. G Adirondack (AHL), May 6

North Dakota

Derek Forbort Jr. D Los Angeles (NHL), April 5

Northern Michigan

Jared Coreau Jr. G Detroit (NHL), March 18 (FA)

Notre Dame

Anders Lee Jr. F NY Islanders (NHL), April 1

Ohio State Chris

Crane Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 2

St. Cloud State

Nick Jensen Jr. D Detroit (NHL), May 2

Union

Troy Grosenick Jr. G San Jose (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Western Michigan

Danny DeKeyser Jr. D Detroit (NHL), March 29 (FA)

Wisconsin

Brendan Woods So. F Carolina (NHL), April 13

Early Departures list - 16 and Counting

s/t to UND hockey blog. The list of early departures from the WCHA is now at 16. Wisconsin and Denver have been hit the hardest as seven players from those teams have signed professional contracts.

Wisconsin Badgers - 4
Cody Goloubef, Jr, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith, Jr, D, Detroit Red Wings
Derek Stepan, So, F, New York Rangers
Ryan McDonagh, Jr, D, New York Rangers

Denver Pioneers - 3
Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators
Marc Cheverie, Jr, G, Florida Panthers

Alaska-Anchorage - 2
Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr, G, Stockton (ECHL)

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs - 2
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks
Brady Hjelle, So, G, junior A

MSU-Mankato Mavericks - 2
Kevin Murdock, Fr, G, junior A
Tyler Pitlick, Fr, F, WHL

UND Fighting Sioux - 2
Corey Fienhage, So, D, WHL
David Toews, So, F, WHL

Minnesota Gophers - 1
Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks

Early Exits

This is an interesting conundrum that the NCAA and the NHL are going to have to work out eventually before it comes to a head. I personally think that some NHL GM's don't respect the college game. Every off season there is a stream of players leaving their college teams early for the professional and or the major junior ranks. Fans of the WCHA have come to expect players leaving during the offseason; none of us expect them to start leaving early during the season to sign professional contracts. To me it is a character issue when a player quits/leaves his team during the season to sign a professional contract or leave for Major Juniors.

The Kyle Okposo situation was down right silly; we ended up having an artillery dual in the media between a college coach and a general manager over why a kid was signed during the middle of the season. I agree with the Denver Post writer, he makes some great points. There should be a rule once a player plays a game with his college team, the professional team that owns his rights should have to wait till after his college season is over before he can be signed to a professional contract. It should be the same with free agent players as well…

NHL must discourage early exits
By Terry Frei
The Denver Post

Imagine that a star Colorado tailback has a falling-out with the coaching staff at midseason, mysteriously is left home from a trip to Iowa State (causing some to speculate that he actually is being rewarded), leaves campus, explores his options and ultimately signs a contract with the Green Bay Packers the next week.

The apocalypse would be upon us.

Something similar is happening in college hockey.

The NHL should implement a rule that once an NCAA player appears in one game in a season, he can't be signed until his team's season is over.

It would remove the temptation for college players to bail the first time they have a grievance with their coach or a fight with their campus girlfriend, or for NHL teams to be the equivalent of obnoxious rink parents who pry their kids out of a program if they're not getting enough ice time or star treatment.

The need for such a rule will be evident tonight, when the Minnesota Gophers and University of Denver Pioneers open a two-game series at Magness Arena.

The Gophers lost winger Kyle Okposo at midseason, when he signed with the New York Islanders. The Isles tried to rationalize it with general manager Garth Snow's sophomoric whining that respected UM coach Don Lucia was impeding Okposo's development.

DU sophomore forward Brock Trotter, the Pioneers' leading scorer, signed Thursday with the Montreal Canadiens (ironically, owned by Vail resident George Gillett Jr.), and was assigned to the Habs' minor-league affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The Trotter Saga isn't a Dick Francis-written equine mystery, but still is a mystery nonetheless.

The difference between hockey and football is that the NHL's draft age is roughly 18 — and teams retain players' rights. NHL organizations generally wait as all but the absolute elite prospects play major junior in the Canadian Hockey League, college hockey in the U.S., or in Europe. But the NHL's patience is diminishing.

Okposo was the seventh choice in the 2006 NHL draft. Trotter, 21, hasn't been drafted. This almost certainly wasn't a case of the Canadiens coaxing Trotter off campus. He seemed to advertise his availability to NHL organizations and junior teams after he didn't make the trip with the team to a series at Minnesota State last weekend, and Montreal stepped up with a free- agent offer.

DU coach George Gwozdecky has refused to say why Trotter was left behind last weekend, and Thursday night, he still wouldn't say whether Trotter had been kicked off the team. It seems safe to assume he was at least suspended.

Yet even if Trotter had no opportunity to return to the DU roster this season, the NHL must avoid being allowed to even further popularize the perception among college players — drafted or undrafted — that one of their options if they run into or cause trouble during an NCAA season is to sign a pro contract immediately.

Coaches accept collegians leaving early, usually only grousing when they feel that NHL teams encourage drafted players to leave programs to play major junior instead, or sign them when they're physically not ready for pro hockey.

But the NHL's post-lockout collective bargaining agreement lowered the threshold age for free agency and in other ways added to the pressures for NHL teams to sign their draft choices sooner — even if it means sending them to the minors.

"It's certainly a concern that one or more of the elements of the CBA may be working to facilitate the earlier signing of college players, and to the extent that's happening, it's obviously not consistent with the intent of the parties," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told me recently. "We are committed to working with the colleges and with the Players' Association to monitor signings and trends, and to try to address these issues in a positive way, if at all possible."

For the good of all, the NHL can't allow itself to even subtly encourage players, whether drafted or undrafted, to leave college programs in the middle of a season — or to make them think they could end up rewarded for being suspended or kicked off teams. The NHL can't help plant the thought that you don't have to run home to Mommy and Daddy in the middle of a college season . . . because one of the options is to see if an NHL team will hand you a lollipop and immediately sign you.

Players to leave/dismissed from their college team (recent list)
1.) Brock Trotter DU
2.) Kevin Quick Michigan
3.) Brett Motherwell B.C.
4.) Kyle Okposo UMN
5.) Chris Wilson UNO
6.) Tony Grieco UND

It's Official Brian Lee has signed with the Senators

Lee Gone

BRIEFLY: The Senators will announce today the signing of D Brian Lee, their No. 1 pick (ninth overall) in the 2005 draft, along with 2004 fifth-round pick RW Jim McKenzie. Lee went to North Dakota last season, while McKenzie attended Michigan State.

While originally it was up in the air what Lee was going to do, the final nail in the coffin was the Sen's losing Tom Preissing as he signed a nice free agent deal with the LA King's.

WCHA Departures: Who is Next?

So Who is Next?

So are the Gophers the next WCHA team to lose another star player? The Pens want to meet with Minnesota defenseman Alex Goligoski this week. It's no mystery that Goli is an awesome defensive prospect with a great upside on the offensive side of the ice. It is my opinion that Alex is one of the best in the WCHA if not the NCAA. Goligoski would also fit nicely into the Pens up tempo style of play.

Penguins to meet with prospect Goligoski
By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Penguins could have a firm grasp on the immediate future of prospect Alex Goligoski after the prized University of Minnesota defenseman meets Tuesday with team officials in the Twin Cities. Goligoski, the club's second-round pick (61st overall) in the 2004 entry draft, will meet general manager Ray Shero for the first time this morning. Assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher also will attend the face-to-face meeting -- perhaps an indication that the team expects to learn from Goligoski, 21, his intentions for the upcoming season.

Goligoski, a left-handed offensive-minded defenseman, scored 25 goals and recorded 98 points in 118 games over the past three seasons with Minnesota. However, he has informed college coaches and teammates that he wishes to decide soon whether to return for his final year of eligibility or turn pro.

Considered one of the top defensemen in collegiate hockey, Goligoski, a second-team All-American, would seem a long shot to play in the NHL next season. But he would rate a serious contender to play for the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Nothing on Brian Lee

The Goon is predicting that Brian Lee will be announcing this week that he is returning for another season of hockey at the University of North Dakota.

The Senators have a deep prospect group on defense led by 2005 ninth overall pick Brian Lee, who will likely play another season with University of North Dakota before turning pro...

It's Official Toews is Gone.

NHL.COM photo

It has just been announced May 16, 2007, 5:05 PM EDT Black Hawks Sign Toews to 3 Year Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with highly touted forward Jonathan Toews on a three-year, entry-level contract.

"Chicago is a city with a great history and it's a great hockey city," the 19-year-old Toews said in a statement. "The Blackhawks are an Original Six team with a great hockey tradition. I'm looking forward to playing for the Chicago Blackhawks fans."

He was Chicago's first pick, third overall, in last June's NHL entry draft.

"Jonathan Toews is an exciting player that Blackhawk fans are going to enjoy watching," Hawks GM Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He has been an outstanding player at the collegiate level for two years, he's won two gold medals playing for Team Canada in the world junior championships the past two years, and was a member of gold medal winning Team Canada in the recently completed world championships in Moscow.

"He has shown leadership and the ability to compete at all levels. We're excited to welcome him to the Blackhawk family."

Toews had seven points (2-5) in nine games for world champion Canada in Moscow.

"I was very impressed by the way he played in the world championships," said Blackhawks head coach Denis Savard. "Jonathan is a heart and soul kid. He looks like he's been very well coached. He is a solid two-way player with lots of skill."

The Winnipeg native had four goals and three assists at the world under-20 championship in Sweden earlier this year, and was named to the tournament's all-star team. He is the first Canadian-born player to ever win a gold medal in both the world junior championship and the world championship in the same year.

Toews also played at the University of North Dakota this season, scoring 18 goals and adding 28 assists in 34 games.

This how things go. When I turned my computer off still no news on the signing, went on a walk with the dog, came back from walk with dog, showered went to work. Logged on to the internet and there it was. Officially this is the first early departure.

Are there any more?

This isn't saying that the Sioux aren't going to be hit with any more departures, there could be more, however, from what Sioux fans have been told; there may only be one more possible departure Sophmore defensemen Brian Lee. If I am not mistaken from what I have heard and read Sioux fans should find him for a couple of weeks.

The Oshie and Toews Watch

The Watch is Officially on

I hate this time of year more than the ending of the Waterfowl season. For the past three plus season the UND Fighting Sioux have enjoyed great success followed by a mass defection of skilled players. I found this article on HockeyBuzz.COMand its got a pretty interesting perspective on some of the WCHA's top players; sounds like T.J. Oshie is sitting about 50/50 on going pro while Jonathon Toews and Eric Johnson are gone. I know its a blog but EK runs a pretty credible blog and he appears on XM-204 all of the time. I suppose we can take it for what it's worth. Or as Hakstol likes to say, "it is what it is."

If you happen to run into Black Hawks super prospect Jonathan Toews in the next few days don’t be surprised if he is still wearing his North Dakota uniform.

With Thursday night’s loss to Boston College likely being his final game playing for the Fighting Sioux, Toews couldn't take off his jersey after the game. He sat in his stall with his head buried in his lap for several minutes while still wearing his equipment. Some of his teammates were already headed to the bus before Toews even took off an elbow pad.

When Toews was attending Shattuck-St. mary's with Taylor Chorney, Ryan Duncan, and Chay Genoway they all decided they would attend the same University and play together. The fact that it looks like Toews will leave without a national championship is difficult for him to accept

Toews is smart enough to say he owes it to his teammates to not think about next season. It does him no good to come out and say I'm off to Chicago to play in the NHL.

Sometimes we forget these kids get attached to the college lifestyle and their friends. It’s not that easy to just cut the cord and turn pro no matter how good you are. When Toews was attending Shattuck-St. mary's with Taylor Chorney, Ryan Duncan, and Chay Genoway they all decided they would attend the same University and play together. The fact that it looks like Toews will leave without a national championship is going to be difficult for him to accept

But let's face it, he’s gone.

The better question is what his pal T.J. Oshie will do.

I found it interesting when Oshie told me his decision will no question be impacted by whatever choice Toews makes. Oshie plans on being as committed as ever in the gym this summer with hopes of adding ten pounds of muscle. He will certainly need to add strength to play in the NHL.

I get mixed signals from the Blues on Oshie. While they all agree Oshie is going to develop into an impact player at the NHL level, some think another year in school wouldn’t hurt. Others have told me playing in the NHL next season will be a non-issue for Oshie.

All I know is this; Oshie is really excited to play for the St. Louis Blues. He couldn’t get the smile off his face when I brought up the team that made him a first round pick in 2005. He loved being inside the Blues building. Oshie is so far removed from St. Louis he has no idea how high he is thought of among Blues management and fans. He didn’t even attend the draft the year he was selected, so he has had little face time with anybody from the city or the Blues organization.

This was the first time Oshie had ever been to St. Louis. He said it was really special to finally put a face with the city. Oshie added that seeing fans walking the streets wearing Blues jerseys while driving to the rink was an unbelievable experience. When I spoke to Oshie following UND’s loss to BC he had not bumped into Larry Pleau or John Davidson while in St. Louis.

Oshie spoke to Erik Johson recently and plans on talking to him again before he makes his decision.

Speaking of Johnson, he has not told the Blues what his intentions are for next season but sources very close to Johnson say he has decided to leave Minnesota.

Both Johnson and Oshie plan on attending the Blues Prospect camp in July.

Oshie will take his time to collect his thoughts and decide on his future.

First off I like the line of thinking when some suggest that T.J. Oshie needs another year in the college game. Who am I to stand in the way. As most Sioux hockey fans know there are numerous rumors flying around that T.J. will stay in college for one more year. Some have even quoted his father as saying that. Others are saying mark T.J. off next season's roster because he is as good as gone already. I am sure the truth lies somewhere in between. I crossing my fingers and wearing out my knees praying that Oshie stays because he is an amazing player with God given talents. I find it amusing that Oshie has not bumped into the the team leadership as of yet, that could be a good sign or it could me that he was more focused on the task at hand. Stay tuned we will see how this shakes out.

Also, looks like Maine Coach Tim Whitehead might want to recruit another goalie

That’s not exactly the case for Maine goaltender Ben Bishop. He doesn’t need any time.

He wants to turn pro now. He says he’s ready and he’s hoping the Blues feel the same way.

Bishop is confident he can make the transition, but I have the feeling the Blues want him to wait.

First of all it’s a valid question to ask if he is even ready, but also would it make sense to have him play a handful of games backing up Marek Schwarz in Peoria next season? If the Blues wait a year or two Bishop could jump in and be the number one guy in Peoria right away.

A big question heading into this off-season will be if Davidson picks up the phone and offers the 6’7 Bishop a contract.

Bishop was decent Thursday night. Michigan State was successful in creating traffic in front of him and the bounces went the Spartans way as a result.

He has impressive athletic ability for a goaltender his size and handles the puck efficiently.

That would be a huge loss for Maine as Bishop is a shut down goalie that makes a living frustrating the opposition. I don't get it though, college was the best time of my life and these kids have a life time to make money. The money is going to be there if they stay one or two more years. Just ask Jordan Leopold, he stayed all four season, won a Hobey Baker and a National title and has been a solid player I believe because of him staying his final season in the WCHA/NCAA.