There was a rumor/post that seems to be sprouting legs over on Sioux sports that Chorney has signed a professional contract. I don't doubt this because we have heard since the end of the season that Chorney was not coming back to UND and that he wanted to sign a professional contract. None of us would be shocked by the news and I would imagine that the story is true. All we can do is wish Taylor Chorney good luck and thank him for his three years of service. I think he was a pretty good defenseman that has a lot of potential to play at the next level.
Oilers sign Defenceman Hrabal to a two-year deal
Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Saturday, May 31, 2008
EDMONTON - It's standing room only on the Edmonton blue-line these days, but that didn't stop the Oilers from adding another promising youngster Friday.
The team announced the signing of Czech defender Josef Hrabal to a two-year entry-level contract.
"There's a lot of similarities to (Denis) Grebeshkov ... Josef is a bit of a riverboat gambler, too," said Kevin Prendergast, the Oilers vice-president of hockey operations
---snip---
While Hrabal will be here for the main camp, highly rated defence prospect Taylor Chorney likely won't be at the Oilers development camp, which starts Sunday at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park.
Chorney wants to leave the University of North Dakota a year early, but his adviser is playing hardball with the Oilers over a contract.
"He was the 35th player picked (Round 2, 2005) but he wants first-round money," said Prendergast.
Chorney's dad, Marc, played briefly in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
"We've told Taylor to just come to the camp," Prendergast said. "It's not an audition. It's just to help him get better. He's the first player we've had who won't come because he doesn't have a contract."
(read the whole story here)
