Sioux lose Corey Fienhage

The Fighting Sioux lost defenseman Corey Fienhage to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. Kris Baker from the Sabres Prospects and Brad Schlossman are both reporting this today.

The early depatures list

Denver -- 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)

Wisconsin -- 2
Cody Goloubef, Jr, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
*Brendan Smith, Jr, D, Detroit Red Wings

University of North Dakota -- 2
David Toews, So, F, going to the WHL
Corey Fienhage, So, D, going to the WHL

Minnesota-Duluth -- 2
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks
Brady Hjelle, So, G, going back to juniors

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

Minnesota State Mankato -- 1
Kevin Murdock, Fr, G, going to Lincoln Stars USH

Stalock gone. Signs with the Sharks.

With the defection of Alex Stalock to the NHL that bring the total of 9 underclassmen that have left early to sign professional contracts so far this off season. After Stalock's run in the playoffs this spring you had to wonder if the Mighty Stalock's stock had risen pretty high. UND, MTU and SCSU are the only teams not to suffer any early defections as of yet. Also, in today's Grand Forks Herald UND beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman is reporting that Chris VandeVelde is leaning towards staying at UND for his senior season.

Rink and Run had the details of Stalock's contract and even if Alex only plays in the AHL next season 62,000.00 is pretty good start to a post college career.

His two-way contract will be worth $62,500 if playing in the American Hockey League and $630,700 if playing in the NHL, plus an annual signing bonus of $85,000. Its possible Stalock may be assigned next week to San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate in Worcester, Mass.

Early departures in the WCHA (9)

Alaska-Anchorage (1)
Paul Crowder, jr, forward, N.Y. Rangers

Colorado College (2)
Brian Connelly, jr, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Bachman, so, goaltender, Dallas Stars

Denver (1)
Tyler Bozak, so, forward, Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota (1)
Ryan Stoa, jr, forward, Colorado Avalanche

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Evan Oberg, so, defenseman, Vancouver Canucks
Alex Stalock, jr, goaltender,

MSU-Mankato (1)
Trevor Bruess, jr, forward, Washington Capitals

Wisconsin (1)
Jamie McBain, jr, defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes

The winner of the Bozak sweepstakes is? The Leafs.

Sounds like Brian Burke got his man and is going to go after Boston University senior defensman Matt Gilroy as well as soon as the NCAA playoffs are over. It looks like the Maple Leafs are on the road to recovery and making the right steps to right the ship after a futile existence the last three seasons no Stanley Cup playoff; actually that will be four seasons after this current season is officially over. So look for the Maple Leafs to make some improvement.

So if your a Leaf aka a Make Me Laugh Fan things are starting to look up your general manager just got DU's Tyler Bozak and Notre Dame's Christian Hanson to sign professional contracts. Tyler Bozak was one of the most sought after undrafted free agents because he is a complete forward that plays both ends of the ice and will make an impact in the NHL.

Another Piece of the Puzzle
The Maple Leafs, having more success off the ice in recent days than they enjoyed all season, have outfought several other clubs for the right to sign talented Denver University forward Tyler Bozak.

Bozak, 23, has told the Leafs they are his preferred destination for his first NHL contract, with a contract expected to be signed sometime today. The Leafs are believed to have outmaneuvered Ottawa, Colorado and Anaheim, among other clubs, to sign the U.S. collegiate star. Tyler Bozak had 18 goals in 41 games with Denver in 2007-08.

After signing Christian Hanson of Notre Dame, who will make his NHL debut tonight in Philly, earlier this week, snaring Bozak gives the Leafs two of the top U.S. collegiate free agents available, with Boston University defenceman Matt Gilroy still on Brian Burke's radar.

Quite clearly, these free agents are looking at the Leafs and seeing opportunity for immediate NHL work based on the club's lack of depth at every position. This week, in a way, has turned into the draft before the draft for the Leafs, who desperately need to add prospects to their bare talent cupboard.

Bozak, a native of Regina who played his junior hockey in B.C. before heading to Denver, is thought to have more of an offensive upside than Hanson, but is smaller and missed most of the past season with a knee injury. Both are skill players, and Burke undoubtedly made it clear to both that he intends to add muscle around them to make their introduction to NHL competition easier.

Getting both players, meanwhile, is in part a credit to the stability the Leafs are enjoying these days.

So the list is updated over on the UND hockey blog.
Early departures in the WCHA (7)

Alaska-Anchorage (1)
Paul Crowder, jr, forward, N.Y. Rangers

Colorado College (2)
Brian Connelly, jr, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Bachman, so, goaltender, Dallas Stars

Denver (1)
Tyler Bozak, so, forward, Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota (1)
Ryan Stoa, jr, forward, Colorado Avalanche

MSU-Mankato (1)
Trevor Bruess, jr, forward, Washington Capitals

Wisconsin (1)
Jamie McBain, jr, defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes