Who's bolting for the Pro ranks

[buzzsaw]

Lets start with a certain Hobey Baker finalist, if not winner... Matt Carle.

http://www.uscho.com/news/id,12439/MattCarleSignsWithSanJose.html

[PierBridge]

Irmen and Poltulny..........GONE....

[buzzsaw]

Quote:

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Irmen and Poltulny..........GONE

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Where did you hear that? I hope not!! One more year would be nice and they could use another season getting free cocktails on campus.

Minnesota State Mankato's best player, David Backes, won't be back in a Maverick sweater as a senior, as he signed Wednesday with the NHL's St. Louis Blues. He will close this season with the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen

[PierBridge]

I can't imagine either would be back next year.

Philly knows it's time to sign Poltulny another year in college is not going to help Poltulny or his dream of playing in the NHL.....he Gone!!!!!

I think Irmen is oughta here also he could be dam good NHL-er some day.

[SJB]

I sat next to Paul Holmgren during the 1st & 2nd period of the ND/WI game. He is a scout with Philly. He was with 2 other guys who I didn't know who they where. I didn't have the guts to ask him what the Flyers plans were for Potulny.

[wallmounter]

Potulny has signed with the Flyers and on a side note was NOT named in the top three for the Hobey. I'll admit I'm a Sioux fan but even I think that is a joke. Reminds me of when Jeff Panzer of the Sioux a couple years back led the nation in scoring and a top ranking but didn't win it.

[buzzsaw]

It should have been three WCHA guys in the Hobey Hat Trick... oh well, Ryan can show grant his bank account and Grant can show Ryan a nat'l championship ring.

[Andrew Erickson]

Did i hear Chris Harrington was going to Pittsburg or am i hearing things?

[IFallsRon]

Someone would pay Harrington to play hockey? He'll be a career minor leaguer at best.

[Jarrod32]

There's a poll on the Wild HSOforum about Danny Irmen; the poll has been running about 70% want him to return to school for another year, 30% want him to sign with the Wild.

[PierBridge]

.

[Jarrod32]

Irmen signs with Wild...from the Wild HSOforum:

Wild Signs Danny Irmen To Contract

Glen Andresen

April 5, 2006

Danny Irmen racked up 103 points on 54 goals and 49 assists in 118 career games with Minnesota.

Here's one way to relieve some of the bitterness about coming up on the short end of one of the most shocking upsets in college history: deposit a big check and fulfill a lifelong dream.

It's easier said than done, but on Wednesday, Danny Irmen did just that by signing a multi-year contract with the Minnesota Wild beginning next season. Irmen is expected to sign an Amateur Tryout contract with the Houston Aeros where he will join the team for its American Hockey League playoff run.

"Danny cannot play with us this year," said Wild assistant General Manager Tom Lynn. "It's a multi-year deal, so he'll spend a couple years developing. Could he play right away? It's possible. Could he start next year in Houston and get called up? It's just as possible. Whatever is best for his development as a Wild player is where he'll be next year."

Added Lynn with a hint of sarcasm, "but he'll be making more money next year than he did this past year."

"It's a dream come true for me," said Irmen. "It's why you strap the skates on when you're four-years-old, so you can have a chance to play in the National Hockey League and this is one step towards that goal. I head out to Houston tomorrow and hopefully I can fit right in and be a part of a playoff run."

Minnesota's third round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft recently completed his junior season with the Minnesota Gophers. Though he missed 11 games to injury, the power forward with plenty of feistiness managed to finish third on the Gophers in goals (16) and fourth in points (38). Irmen is no stranger to banging in the loose puck while banging opposing defensemen at the same time.

Lynn confirmed that the Wild needs more of the garbage goals that Irmen can hopefully provide while wearing green and red.

"We're trying to add more grit, obviously, and we're trying to get what they call 'greasy' goals," said Lynn. "Danny's gotten those goals in college, but it will be a big transition to the pros. He's got to make sure he can do that as a pro and we've got to make sure we get a number of guys that do that, and not just one."

The Fargo, North Dakota native's best college season came a year ago when he tied for the team lead with 24 goals in 44 games while leading Minnesota to a berth in the 2005 Frozen Four. He admitted it was tough to leave his Gopher teammates and coaches.

"It was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make in my life," said Irmen. "I sat back and thought about it with family, friends and coaches. Being a part of the Gophers was the best three years of my life. I wanted to go back my senior year and make a run at that title, but they'll make a run with or without me. I wish them the best and thank them for everything they've done for me."

The Gophers will have some serious filling-in to do without Irmen and his linemate, Ryan Potulny, who also signed a pro contract with Philadelphia. Some speculated that Potulny's signing last week meant Irmen's departure was imminent. Irmen says that's not so.

"It didn't really have anything to do with Ryan and what he did," he said. "After he left, I thought that if I did come back it would be my team along with Mike Vannelli and Kellen Briggs. But you have to go your own way. It's what's best for the player."

[PierBridge]

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Irmen and Poltulny..........GONE....

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[Hooked On a Feeling]

Sounds like Potulny is in the line-up for tonight with Philly.

[chief]

I agree with IFalls Ron. The best thing about losing Irmen and Potulny is that Harrington is finally gone too. Only the trainer handed out more pucks in his career.

P.S. That same trainer told me, personally, that he put a fresh egg inside each of Harrington's shoulder pads last November. He retreived them both--unbroken--last week.

[Hooked On a Feeling]

Poltulny got 10 shifts last night, skating with brashear and savage. He also won 50% of his faceoffs.