It's official Oshie signs on the dotted line.

I don't' think any of use were shocked with this announcement. I think I would have been more shocked if he was coming back for a fourth season.

It is finally official Fighting Sioux star T.J. Osie is now a professional hockey player with St Louis Blues. I guess that will mean that I have to get the hockey package next season again. That now makes 9 players from the WCHA that have left early for the professional ranks.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed 2005 first round draft pick, T.J. Oshie.

“I am happy that the Blues have been patient with me over the past couple of years,” said Oshie. “I am now ready and proud to wear the Blue Note next season. I would like to thank my family, who have supported me all these years. I would also like to give a special thanks to all the programs, coaches, and all of my teammates who have made an impact on my life and hockey career.”

Oshie, 21, was the Blues first selection, 24th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Everett, Washington, Oshie has spent the last three seasons at the University of North Dakota, leading the Fighting Sioux to three consecutive NCAA Frozen Four appearances.

The 6-0, 192-pound center was a first team All-WCHA selection and Top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist this past season, finishing with a team leading 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 42 games played.

Oshie finished his three-year career at North Dakota, registering 142 points (59 goals, 83 assists) in 129 career games. His 142 career points ranks him 30th all-time in North Dakota history.

Early departures in the WCHA

North Dakota (1)
F T.J. Osie

Minnesota (2)
G Jeff Frazee, junior
F Blake Wheeler, junior

Wisconsin (1)
F Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
F Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
G Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
D Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
F Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Denver (1)
D Chris Butler, junior

Andy Strickland: Oshie signing with the Blues.

These are probably some of the moves we are going see from T.J. Oshie in the NHL. Honesty; I can't say that I am surprised that Oshie is going to sign with the Blues and it's probably time for Oshie to move on to the NHL. I will never fault these kids for wanting to play hockey for a living. Think about this: if you were told that you could make 800,000.00+ a year playing a sport or game you would take it in a minutes no regrets. I can only say that I am excited for T.J. and he will represent the University of North Dakota in a possitive light.

Personally T.J. Oshie was one of my all-time Fighting Sioux favorites. T.J. Oshie is the complete player that can hit and score while being hooked, held and slashed up and down the ice.

The Blues have finalized entry level deals with 2007 first round pick Lars Eller and 2005 first rounder TJ Oshie.

Oshie arrived in St. Louis on Monday and is expected to finalize his deal on Tuesday as well.

An official announcement will be made by the club on Tuesday and the players will be introduced to the local media on Wednesday.

Oshie has been working out with Blues prospect Chris Porter at Shattuck St. Mary's prep over the last few weeks.

More Wheeler News.

Onyx from the Coyotes Hip Check blog game me a heads up to this bit of news. This was basically the same thing that Brad Schlossman said on the University of North Dakota Hockey blog.

While I am not ready to call Wheeler a bust just yet his numbers at the University of Minnesota have not been eye popping or numbers that you would expect from a players selected 5th over-all. I think it will be interesting to see if what professional teams will step up and offer him a contract if the Yotes do not sign him.

Wheeler set to become a dealer

Blake Wheeler, a 6-foot-5-inch defenseman chosen fifth overall by Phoenix in the 2004 draft, served the Coyotes with a 30-day notice Friday, formalizing his intention to become an unrestricted free agent, as allowed by the CBA.

According to Wheeler's Boston-based agent, Matt Keator, the Coyotes have the next four weeks to sign Wheeler, who has chosen not to return for his senior year at the University of Minnesota, or he'll be free to sign with any of the other 29 NHL teams.

The new CBA, signed out of the 2004-05 lockout, allows clubs to retain a player's draft rights for only four years. Under typical circumstances, unsigned US college players can become free agents as of Aug. 15 in their senior years. But in cases such as Wheeler's, in which a player was drafted four years earlier and has chosen not to return to college, the 30-day notice provides the out.

"Part of what makes this a bit different is the fact that Blake played in Green Bay [USHL] his first year after the draft," explained Keator. "He's been a bit of a late bloomer physically, too. But now he's 6-5, 210 pounds, a man ready to play in a man's game. He's a smart, two-way defenseman with some upside on offense.

"It's the right move for him. And, hey, he could still end up signing with Phoenix, or they could decide to trade his rights. This sort of speeds up the process, that's all."

Wheeler, 21, is eligible to sign a two-year entry-level deal, one that likely will pay him the maximum $875,000 per year. He played on the Gophers' 2005-06 squad with Phil Kessel, who turned pro after being drafted No. 5 overall by the Bruins in June 2006. In 127 games with Minnesota, Wheeler scored 42 goals and collected 96 points.

Wheeler's departure brings to 10 the number of Gophers to leave college early since the end of 2005-06. Just this past season, Kyle Okposo bolted in December to join the Islanders, and Jeff Frazee hooked on with New Jersey upon the completion of his college season. Kessel packed up after his freshman year.Co

Blake Wheeler is gone at Minnesota.

The silly season continues, Wheeler is going to forgo his senior season at the University of Minnesota to sign a professional contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. I am kind of sad because we will no longer be able to see the re-match between big Joe Finley and Blake Wheeler.

According to a UM press release

Minnesota junior forward Blake Wheeler has withdrawn from the university to pursue a career in professional hockey. Wheeler, who was a 2004 first-round draft pick by the Phoenix Coyotes, has 30 days to sign with the team. Following the 30 days, if the two parties do not reach an agreement, Wheeler will become a free agent. He is the 10th Minnesota player to leave college early for the professional ranks since the end of the 2005-06 season. Wheeler is also the third Gopher this season to leave the program after Kyle Okposo signed with the New York Islanders in December and Jeff Frazee signed

Early departures in the WCHA

Minnesota (2)
G Jeff Frazee, junior
F Blake Wheeler, junior

Wisconsin (1)
F Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
F Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
G Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
D Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
F Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Denver (1)
D Chris Butler, junior

The Silly Season Continues: DU's Chris Butler gone.

The Lets-Go-DU Hockey blog is reporting that Chris Butler is leaving the Denver Pioneer to sign a entry level professional contract with the Buffalo Sabres. The silly season continues and it looks like the 17 departures from a couple of years ago might be broken this summer since the college hockey season has just ended and there are 5 1/2 month till the 2008-2009 season ends.

Official press release on the Bulter signing.

Early departures in the WCHA

Wisconsin (1)
Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Minnesota (1)
Jeff Frazee, junior

Denver (1)
Chris Butler, junior