The Silly Season is upon us… Jake Gardiner signs contract...

This is probably the first of many early departures by underclassmen that are sure to come in the next few weeks as college hockey team’s season’s end. Jake Gardiner and Joffrey Lupul  were traded before the trade dead from the Duck organization to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Francois Beauchemin and there were rumblings that the Maple Leafs were anxious to get Gardiner into the Leafs system so this isn’t a big shock to anyone.

Russo's Rants ---- Lastly, according to multiple NHL sources, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed University of Wisconsin junior defenseman Jake Gardiner to an entry-level contract tonight. The former Minnetonka Skipper star had a fabulous final season with the Badgers with 10 goals and 41 points and was a mainstay on Wisconsin's second-ranked WCHA defense.


Gardiner can skate like the wind and will get a heck of a chance in Toronto. Brian Burke, who traded for him in the Francois Beauchemin deal, drafted Gardiner in Anaheim.

Statement on the T.J. Oshie signing.

Here is a statement from Tim Oshie (T.J.'s father) on T.J. Oshie's signing with the St Louis Blues of the NHL. For Sioux fans this is both a sad day but yet a happy day as well. One of my favorie Sioux players is going to be playing in the NHL very soon. Good luck in the NHL T.J. Oshie.





Dear Friends & Family:

May 13th, 2008, marked a great day for T.J. Oshie, the Oshie Family, Seattle Junior Hockey Association, Warroad HS Warriors Hockey and the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

T.J. signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Blues organization. T.J., along with his agent Matt Oates and Blues President John Davidson, were part of the signing group assembled at the ScottTrade Center in St. Louis, MI.

A very special thanks goes out to Tina Oshie, Taylor Oshie and Tawni Oshie for all the years of running to the arena's throughout North America. The support and time you've given to T.J. as a mother, brother and sister is unparalleled. Hockey seems to bring our family closer together even when the 1,800 miles separates us. And to Aleah Oshie-Hangsleben, for always supporting her big brother at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Also, to the entire Oshie Family from Everett, WA; Stanwood, WA; Warroad, MN; Bemidji, MN, Minneapolis, MN, and abroad, thank you for your support over the years.

The Oshie Family would like to personally thank these incredible individuals who made this possible through their guidance, mentorship and leadership to T.J. Oshie:

Mike Murphy, SJHA; Rick Ellison, SJHA; Gord Whitaker, SJHA; The Beadle Family, SJHA; Cary Eades, Warroad HS / UND Fighting Sioux; Dennis Fermoyle, Warroad HS; Albert Hasbargen, Warroad HS; Craig Oftedahl, Warroad HS; Warren Keller, Warroad HS; Ramona Janzen, Warroad HS; Bill Kirkeby, Warroad HS; Scott Knutson, Warroad HS; Henry Boucha, Warroad; Dave Hakstol, UND Fighting Sioux; Dean Blais, UND Fighting Sioux; Brad Berry, UND Fighting Sioux; Dane Jackson, UND Fighting Sioux; Dino Grillo, MN Hockey Camps / O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt; Chuck Grillo, MN Hockey Camps; Eustice King, O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt.; Steve Reich, O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt.; NW Admirals (SJHA) teammates and coaches; Warroad HS Warriors teammates and coaches; UND Fighting Sioux teammates.

I realize there are scores of other incredible individuals who've led the way for T.J. in his journey. To those people, a sincere thank you.

I've included a collection of URL links to simply click and enjoy. Thanks for helping make a dream come true!

T.J. Oshie Signs With St. Louis Blues (Fightingsioux.com / Dan Benson):

Blues Reach Deals With Oshie, Eller (St. Louis Blues Web Site):

Blues Agree To Terms With Oshie (Andy Strickland of Hockey Buzz / ESPN Radio):

Oshie Signs With St. Louis (GF Herald / Brad Schlossman):
Oshie, St. Louis Closing In On Deal (GF Herald / Brad Schlossman):
Oshie Press Conference May 14, 2008, @ 10:30 AM (CDT):

Oshie Dons A Blue Note (St. Louis Dispatch / Jeremy Rutherford):


Oshie Signs With Blues (College Hockey News Reports):

Kindest Regards,


Timothy Oshie
c/o Oshie Sports & Entertainment

NCAA coaches concerned about players leaving early

Here is an on going debate that is proving to be pretty interesting and is worth taking a look at, however, the NCAA coaches should tread lightly and proceed very carefully with this issue. The college coaches do not have a lot to bargin with and could do more damage than good. Honestly, I would rather see my team have a player like Toews or Oshie play two to three year than not have them at all. By having these types of blue chip hockey players might be enough to give my team a chance to win a national title. There also doesn't need to be any new rules made by the NCAA, unless the NHL is going to compensate the NCAA team they have just taken the player from.

4/24/2008
NCAA coaches are meeting this week in Naples, Florida and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly are there to listen to their concerns, among them, the increased numbers of underclassmen leaving the college ranks to turn pro.

Prior to the start of the 2006-2007 NHL season, 33 players with college eligibility signed NHL contracts, up from 19 prior to the lockout.

So far this season, 16 players have agreed to NHL deals; the most noteworthy being Kyle Turris, who finished his freshman season in Wisconsin before agreeing to a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Unlike Turris, New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo made his decision to leave the Minnesota Golden Gophers in December, a move that is still regarded as highly unusual.

The manner in which some NHL teams deal with colleges and college players is also a huge area of concern, specific to unsigned or undrafted unrestricted free agent sophomores who in some cases are hounded to distraction by NHL teams hoping to sign him.

The league and Players' Association agreed a protocol to discourage this needs to be considered.

Unlike the CHL and the IIHF, the NCAA doesn't receive financial compensation from the NHL, primarily because the NCAA won't allow it. However, there was discussion with college coaches on implementing a development fee whereby NHL teams would have to provide compensation to college teams if they pull a player out early.

Because of the salary cap, NHL teams are using young players to keep costs down, while there is also incentive for these players to get into the NHL as quickly as possible to burn through the financial restrictions of the entry-level contract.

It's unlikely any changes will take effect by next season.

More on Wheeler.

There seems to be more unfolding in the Blake Wheeler story. Check out this article on the Hip Shot blog... Seems as if Blake is holding a lot of the cards that make up a good hand. I has to be tough to be a college hockey player; your season has just ended you feel that you have more work to do but there is a chance of a life time waiting on the other end.

Blake Wheeler Yotes 2004 pick might stay in school...

Nodl Gone... The Raid continues.

Heather from Win-Twins isn't going to be happy with this news, I predicted that this was going to happen and now it is official; the Broad Street Bullies of the NHL have signed Andreas Nodl to a contract.

Silly Season

This is the worst time of year, I call it the silly season when college hockey fans hold their collective breath and hope that their favorite player don't take the lure of the big money from the NHL that may hold their draft rights.

Nodl Signs with Flyers
CHN Staff Report

The Philadelphia Flyers' raid on college hockey continued today with the signing of St. Cloud State sophomore Andreas Nodl.

Nodl, the College Hockey News Rookie of the Year in 2006-07, was a second-round pick of the Flyers in the 2006 draft.

Nodl, a native of Vienna, Austria, is the fourth college player with eligibility remaining to sign with the Flyers organization since that player's season ended — joining Matt Clackson (Western Michigan), Michael-Lee Teslak (Michigan Tech) and Jon Kalinski (Minnesota State).

Nodl broke out with 46 points his freshman season and was a plus-16. He finished third in scoring in the WCHA this season, though his production actually dropped, going to 44 points and a minus-6.

Early departures in the WCHA

Wisconsin (1)
Kyle Turris, freshman

Mankato (1)
Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Saint Cloud (1)
Andreas Nodl, sophomore

University of Minnesota Duluth (1)
Jason Garrison, junior

Kyle "we hardly knew you" Turris signs with Phoenix

The silly season continues, hardly before the sweat had dried from his breezers, Turris inked a entry level deal with the Desert Dogs.

We are very excited to sign Kyle and have him join the Coyotes organization," said Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney in a statement. "He is a very talented player and is a big part of our future. By adding him to the roster, we hope to give him valuable experience that will help him heading into next season and beyond."

The early exits have started already. Ben Bishop of Maine gone.

Ben Bishop aka Big Ben from Maine is the first early exit to sign a professional contract that played out entire season with his college team. This is the toughest time of the year for college hockey fans. As their favorite teams season end; college hockey fan now shift their focus to their top players as they contemplate signing a professional contract. The silly season has now begun.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed goaltender Ben Bishop. Bishop will join the Peoria Rivermen for the remainder of the season.

The 6-7, 210-pound netminder just completed his junior season at The University of Maine, recording a 13-18-3 record along with a 2.43 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He was named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week three times this season, while being named Hockey East Goalie of the Month for the month of October.

He led the Black Bears to the Frozen Four last season, compiling a 21-9-2 record along with a 2.14 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

Bishop registered a 55-34-7 career record at Maine ranking third all-time in games played (99), second in saves (2,399), fifth in wins (55) and fourth with a 2.29 goals against average.

He was originally St. Louis’ third round selection, 85th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Bishop spent three years at Chaminade High School in St. Louis before joining the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League following his junior year.

Jim we hardly knew you. Gophers lose another player to the NHL.

Earlier this week there was an article posted in a Ottawa Citizen that stated that Gopher Forward Jim O'Brien was going to forgo his last three years of college eligibility and sign a professional contract with the Ottawa Senators. Gopher coach Don Lucia even went on record and said that There is nothing to that story," Lucia said. "Everybody else is coming back Well I guess even the head coach was in the dark: its official, Senators Sign 2007 First-Round Pick Jim O'Brien

OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has signed centre Jim O’Brien to an entry-level contract. He will be at the Senators training camp, starting on Sept. 13.

O’Brien, who recently attended the Senators’ development camp in late June and early July, was the club’s first pick, 29th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio. He was still recovering from April 30 surgery to fix an injury to his left shoulder and was unable to take part in any on-ice sessions during the camp.

In his freshman year with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2006-07, the 18-year-old was the youngest player in all of Division I college hockey. After scoring seven goals and adding eight assists in 43 games with the Golden Gophers, O’Brien then added seven points (three goals and four assists) in seven games as the United States captured the silver medal at the 2007 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in April. Team USA lost 6-5 in the final to Team Russia.

Minnesota took the 2006-07 WCHA regular-season conference title with 18 wins, seven losses and three ties. After defeating the North Dakota Fighting Sioux 3-2 for the WCHA Broadmoor Trophy Championship on March 17, Minnesota would eventually go on to lose 3-2 in overtime to the Fighting Sioux in the NCAA West regional final on March 25.

Prior to joining the Golden Gophers, O’Brien spent two seasons with the U.S. national team development program in Ann Arbor, Mich. In 2005-06, he recorded 17 goals, 24 assists and 76 penalty minutes in 51 games with the under-18 squad. O’Brien had three goals and one assists in six games as Team USA beat Finland 3-1 for the gold medal at the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. In 2004-05, O’Brien suited up with the under-17 team, posting 34 points (16-18) and 51 penalty minutes in 54 games.

It's Official, Paukovich gone...

This had been rumored but I guess this makes it official, this is a press release from the Edmonton Oilers Web Page

OILERS SIGN THREE
BRODZIAK, ROY & PAUKOVICH INK CONTRACTS


The Edmonton Oilers have signed centre Kyle Brodziak and defenceman Mathieu Roy to two-year contracts and left winger Geoff Paukovich to a three-year entry level contract.

The 6’2”, 198-pound Brodziak split the 2006-07 season between the Oilers and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. Brodziak, 23, appeared in six games for the Oilers last season and scored one point, netting his first career Oilers/NHL point with a goal versus the St. Louis Blues on March 17th. With Wilkes-Barre, Brodziak scored 24-32-56 with 44 PIM in 62 games, tying for second on the Penguins’ scoring list. He was second in goals and fourth in assists. The Oilers 9th choice in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Brodziak has scored 1-0-1 with 6 PIM in 16 career games with Edmonton since making his NHL debut in 2005-06.

Roy appeared in 16 games with the Oilers in 2006-07, scoring his first two NHL goals and registering 30 penalty minutes. After beginning the season with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, the 6’2”, 214-pound blueliner was recalled to the Oilers on two occasions during the season and scored his first career Oilers/NHL goal at San Jose on January 10th. The 23-year-old (he turns 24 on August 10th) native of St-Martin De Beauce, Quebec scored his second goal on March 29th at St. Louis. With Hamilton, Roy scored 6-12-18 with 40 PIM in 31 games.

Paukovich begins his professional career with Edmonton following three seasons of collegiate hockey with the University of Denver Pioneers, where he was a teammate with fellow Oilers draft pick, Glenn Fisher. The 6’4”, 208-pound native of Englewood, Colorado played in 39 of the Pioneers’ 40 games in 2006-07, scoring 17 points on eight goals and nine assists. He was second on Denver with 65 penalty minutes and finished his career 11th on the Pioneers’ all-time penalty list with 257 minutes. Paukovich was a member of Denver’s NCAA national championship team as a freshman, scoring a career-high 12-10-22 in 41 games in 2004-05.

Significant WCHA Player Defections

Here is a break down of the significant WCHA players that have forgone their college elgibility to move to the professional/junior hockey ranks. For the most part all of the teams in the WCHA with the exception of MTU and Collerado College have had players forgo their college elgibiligy and move on to the professional ranks. This is not to say that other teams didn't lose players for various reasons. For instance MTU dismissed Phil Axtell from the team for undisclosed reasons, and according to the UAA fan blog Nate Lawson has left school.

Edmonton: Signed F Geoff Paukovich* (Denver)
Anaheim: Signed F Ryan Dingle* (Denver)
Calgary Hitman (WHL) Keith Seabrook* (Denver)
St. Louis: Signed D Erik Johnson* (Minnesota)
Pittsburgh: Signed D Alex Goligoski* (Minnesota)
Ottawa: Signed D Brian Lee* (North Dakota)
Chicago: Signed F Jonathan Toews* (North Dakota)
Los Angeles: Signed D Joe Piskula* (Wisconsin)
Chicago: Signed F Jack Skille* (Wisconsin)
Washington: Signed F Andrew Gordon* (St. Cloud State)
St. Louis: Signed D Steve Wagner* (Minnesota State)
Vancouver: Signed F Mason Raymond* (Minnesota Duluth)
Dallas: Signed D Matt Niskanen* (Minnesota Duluth)
Idaho: Signed F Jay Beagle* (Alaska Anchorage)

Are there any more players leaving early?

It kind of makes you wonder with roughly 60 days until the college hockey season begins if there are going to be any more player defections in the WCHA this summer. There is a rumor circulating around the blogsphere that Gopher underclassmen Jim O'Brienis thinking about leaving school and signing with the Senators. Some of these players I can see leaving but this one kind of puzzles me since O'Brien he is barely 18 years old. In case anyone forgot this kid he did leave an impression on the WCHA goalies and he did seem to be around the action that was in front of the net.

O'Brien to Sign?

Look for Ottawa's top 2007 draft pick, Jim O'Brien, to sign with the Senators and forego the balance of his college career. O'Brien, a 6-2 centre drafted 29th overall, was the youngest player in college hockey last season, as a 17-year-old with the University of Minnesota. A source says O'Brien, now 18, is leaning toward turning professional.

The Player Sioux Fans love to Hate, Geoff Paukovich Signs with the Oilers

Much to the chagrin of Fighting Sioux hockey fans Lets Go DU is reporting that DU bad boy Geoff Paukovich is forgoing his senior year of college to sign an professional contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

For Sioux fans this is a bitter sweet moment because we will never get to see Pauko get his due, at least in the college ranks. Geoff Paukovich will be remembered most for his dirty hit on beloved Sioux defender Robbie Bina that nearly left Bina paralized during the 2005 semi final game of the WCHA Final Five. It's not an understatement to say that he won't be missed in Grand Forks, ND.

Most Sioux fans will remember Geoff Paukovich for his being on the wrong end of a vicious cup check from Sioux tough guy Mike Prpich.

Goon's World would like to wish Geoff good luck in the professional ranks. My advice to Paukovich is to clean up his act and play hockey straight up, because if you cheap someone at the next level you won't be able to hide behind the refs and turtle, someone along the way will come to collect...

Hot off the Presses: Goligoski is Gone

According to Mark Rosen of WCCO Alex Goligoski the all American all WCHA defenseman for the Golden Gophers will forgo his Senior year at the University of Minnesota and sign a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is a huge loss for the Gophers. There had been much discussion on this subject over on Sioux Sports an Gopher Puck Live for the past few weeks.

I can emphasize with Gopher fans it sucks to lose top players, however, as a fan of these programs that get a majority of the top blue chip players we can expect it almost every season.

EDIT:
----------This makes it a little more official---------

Gophers' Goligoski signs with Penguins
BY CHARLEY WALTERS
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 07/10/2007 09:49:39 PM CDT

Alex Goligoski, who would have been a senior next season for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team, on Tuesday signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The deal is for two years. If Goligoski, 21, plays in the NHL, he'll make $500,000 in salary the first season, $600,000 the second season. With bonuses, the contract could be worth nearly $2 million if he plays two complete seasons in the NHL.

The former Grand Rapids (Minn.) High School defenseman is coming off shoulder surgery late last season, and he played hurt most of the season. He passed a physical in Pittsburgh on Monday.

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.