WCHA early departures

[Bear55]

I did my finger crossing and had high hopes last year, I'm going to try and go negative next season and hope I am pleasantly surprised.

[scsavre]

Ive now heard that Ness may not leave. Gotta love the rumor mill.

[Bear55]

I don't really care either way, to be honest he has some skill and as a senior next year he would probably help us more than he would hurt us, he defensive play has come around a little. He has the offensive skill but just needs to put it all together.

[scsavre]

He would definitly help us. Especially since we need more defense anyways. I wouldn't mind seeing more effort out of him though.

[toughguy]

Do you guys think this trend of leaving college early is due more to the increasing talent of US players or the distrust of the NHL teams in the college game's ability to develop their draft picks?

[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!!!