WCHA early departures

[scsavre]

All of the above plus money. Players likely get anxious too. Don't want to miss out. A long areer is 35 years old now. These kids want to get in while they can. If you wait until 22 23 they might think they are missing some prime years in the nhl.

[solbes]

Yeah, I agree one of the bigger pieces is the money. Since they instituted the salaray cap in 2005, many teams like to create more cap room by signing the younger guys who have very low salaries.

Wasn't there also some provisions that if a player wasn't signed withing X number of years, they became restricted free agents? Might come into play for some early drafted seniors in college.

[cbrooks]

Its official. Aaron Ness is signed to the Islanders

[scsavre]

Yah. Really not sure I can blame him. His development was terrible here. I'm not sure the he can play in the ahl tho. I still remember is dad saying he would only play a year or 2 of college......

[cbrooks]

Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech head coach is no longer. Maybe John Hill will get his shot.

[Shorelunch]

Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech head coach is no longer. Maybe John Hill will get his shot.

Gawd . . . I feel sorry for Tech. Tough location and school to get solid recruits to commit to. Hill . . . no . . . not even at Tech, let him stay at the UMtc. Tech needs a miracle worker, and to join a conference with other MI teams.

[Bear55]

Those were some fun years when Hill was coaching AA, too bad everyone knows better these days.

[Shorelunch]

Not an early departure, but BSU Sr. Matt Read signed a one-way deal with Philly!

[solbes]

Good for Matt. Also seeing bumps in this thread will temporarily make my blood pressure rise 10 points. At least for the next 3-4 weeks.

[Bear55]

Just heard a rumor UMD's first line all signed pro contracts and will be departing before the NCAA's.

[solbes]

That would seem about right, for a long and often tortured fan. We should be good for at least 2 1/2 weeks until after their 4th F4 vist.

[Shorelunch]

Dun dun dun . . . another one bites the dust . . .

Denver University sophomore Matt Donovan leaves school early to sign with the Islanders.

[solbes]

Surprised there haven't been more in the past few days. No CC or Omaha early departures?

No reason for me to be nervous yet. All yet to come.

[cbrooks]

Article out of Madison discussing the possible flight tisk for the WCHA this off season. Talks about George Gworzdecky being a future canidate for the Penn St job.

http://host.madison.com/sports/blog/article_b66c2b58-5e2d-11e0-a484-001cc4c002e0.html

[Bear55]

Please keep Gwoz in the WCHA, the last thing I want to see is a competitive Penn St.

[solbes]

I have the opposite opinion. Penn State please offer Mr Gwozdecky a really nice packaged financial offer.

[cbrooks]

Didn't Michigan St couldn't get Gworzdecky and I don't see Penn St doing it.

[Bear55]

I have the opposite opinion. Penn State please offer Mr Gwozdecky a really nice packaged financial offer.

Ok we will take Gwoz in the Big 10 but you have to find a way to keep Lucia in the WCHA.

[Shorelunch]

UMD Jr. Mike Connelly signed with San Jose.

[jellio]

I love the Dogs been a fan for 33 years and counting but with college hockey it's different than pro sports for me...I have favorite players in the pro's but with college hockey I'm a fan of the team and I never become a fan of the players. Mike Connelly is a prime example 5 goal game again the rodents and a solid 3 year player at UMD but the writting was one the wall for an early departure. Rumor has it there will be others leaving as well. Faulk leaving would be no suprise.

Why do Canadian players come to play in the NCAA here in the states....because they can leave early. If they play in Canada they have to stay for 4 years. As a player it makes sense as a fan it stinks. The big problem for the WCHA is the NHL pretty much pulls the strings on them....they would love to make a rule for a mandatory 4 years but that doesn't sit well with the NHL and if they did that the NHL would not allow players to go to D1 schools. It would have to be an NCAA thing in order for anyone to even consider it.

GO Dogs!!!

[solbes]

I have been guilty of being pretty selfish when the great college players decide to leave early. With the programs that are a little smaller like Duluth, St Cloud, Bemidji, etc it's even easier to do because you don't get these types of players every year like you often do with a program like UM, Wisconsin, DU, and UND.

I absolutely wish Mike Connolly nothing but the VERY best as he transitions to his pro career. He was undrafted, worked HIS BUTT off for Duluth, was the cornerstone for a national title, and earned a great pro contract. I have good memories of Mike in years past, but this year he was the rock of the team. He played 2-way every shift out there and did a lot of little things that don't show up on the stat sheet. I have a feeling we may now see Faulk, JConn, and possibly Brady Lamb leave for the pros. I will have the same sentiments to those guys if they do choose to leave, Good Luck fellas! Of course we'd love to have you back.

Here's a couple of Youtube clips of Mike from this year. There were two more I wanted to add from highlights, but they aren't on Youtube. One I posted earlier this season was the behind the back feed to Fonzi on the Sioux win 11/6 in GF.. And the one I really wish someone had posted was his goal against Yale in the Region Finals. He takes the pass down low on a breakway, shoots it over goalies shoulder, blasts the Dman onto his butt, and gives him the staredown. Classic.

[Bear55]

Hey UMD fans at lease you got a NC out of these guys before they left, it sucks but they couldn't be leaving on better terms.

jellio

True Canadian jrs often get guys for 4 years but they are also much younger in the 16 to 20 range then the college players. They have a smart rule in place that says 20 or younger and they either make the nhl club or have to stay in jrs, no ahl to dilute their league. In the ncaa we are dealing with older players and have no form of protection so the nhl teams do what they will, it sucks but as I always say I would rather have a stud for one or two years then not have them at all. It can hurt your team at times when a player bolts but those are the guys who can often push you over the top come playoff time.

[cbrooks]

.

Why do Canadian players come to play in the NCAA here in the states....because they can leave early. If they play in Canada they have to stay for 4 years. As a player it makes sense as a fan it stinks. The big problem for the WCHA is the NHL pretty much pulls the strings on them....they would love to make a rule for a mandatory 4 years but that doesn't sit well with the NHL and if they did that the NHL would not allow players to go to D1 schools. It would have to be an NCAA thing in order for anyone to even consider it.

I feel your pain jellio but like Bear said atleast you got a championship out of him. I also think the NCAA shouldn't make it a rule even though the teams in the WCHA has such a high turn over to the NHL or AHL. I'm just waiting to see what UND's damage will be this off season. I'm pretty sure on three early departure and maybe a fourth. It always fun to watch them progress in the pros. I'm always a fan of all the former WCHA players in the NHL.

[Bear55]

The NC$$ should really get off their high horse and allow these players to attend NHL camps. Structure it just like the CHL, if the player makes his NHL team I will gladly say goodbye, if they don't let them come back and play NCAA hockey. This might be a mess with school but I would think they could work something out online while a kid is trying to make the team and juggle school work.

[solbes]

You give up your NCAA eligibility either way, right? Or is that what you are questioning the logic of?

I don't like it either. It's a reality everyone has to deal with, losing good players to the pros early. Once they added the Cap, and restructured salaries those college players become efficient sources of talent for NHL teams. So they take them early. Sometimes far too early for the players own devolpment.

Agree wholeheartedly about these Duluth guy(s) leaving on the best terms possible. I'm keeping positive this offseason.

[Bear55]

I'm not 100% sure where I was going with that but for sure questioning the logic of the NCAA.

Yes an NCAA guy would lose his eligibility if he went to an NHL camp, they can attend NHL summer camps but have to pay their own way. Which is even more stupid because the NCAA won't allow scholarship students to get a job during the school year.

You would think if those dumb Canadians can figure out a way to keep their young talent in the CHL some of these "college educated" NCAA guys could do the same. Lucia has always said that if a guy was ready he should go pro, but if you are just going to spend your time in the AHL like most of them do why not stay in school and get an education and who knows maybe even win a title or learn how to be a team leader.

[solbes]

but if you are just going to spend your time in the AHL like most of them do why not stay in school and get an education and who knows maybe even win a title or learn how to be a team leader.

Exactly. How many guys make the jump and even get back to the NHL within say 24 months? Some certainly: your Parise's, Toew's, Kessel's, and Vanek's. But 90% will take years and years to get back, if they do make it at all.

If you're undrafted and get your chance, I think you take it. You might have an injury your senior year and never see the $ you've worked so hard to get to. If you're drafted high and you're deveoloping at a good clip, I don't see the rush.

[jellio]

I saw the $$ Mike Connoly is getting.....not enough to retire on or even buy a nice house with the signing bonus and unless he's in the NHL in the next two seasons (which I doubt) he'll be making 67500.00 in the minors for the next two years....IMO getting a college degree for free is worth more than that in 10-20 years. Chasing a dream I guess and I hope he is in an NHL jersey sooner rather than later.

[OnAFly]

I have to agree. Unless you're a sure bet, that degree is a must. I don' think these kids understand how much that degree is worth compared to that $67000.

Now, if he's undrafted and older and can go into the NHL with a $2-3mil first year contract, then yes, go for it just like DaCosta did. I just think that these kids are listening to all the wrong people when they make these decisions.

[cbrooks]

Another factor why some might make the leap to the pros is the fear of injury that could end there hockey career. i know alot of them get insured for this but there is even a max on that if I remember right.

I say if you can get the maxium contract for a rookie...you go and play. think about it if your offered the max when your a Jr in college and decide to go back to school. End up getting a concussion or some other fluky injury your stock drops for being an prospect. The younger you get a contract the more chances you get also... so time doesn't wait for some of these guys.