After my blog yesterday explaining the
Polls, PairWise, Brackets and Regionals and What it all Means in College Hockey, I received a rather snarky email asking me why anyone should or would care about these games. Well, A) they're fun to watch and B) it's getting to be that time of year when the GMs shift their focus to the possibility of signing college free agents. some of whom will be playing in the games I mentioned in the blog.
Earlier I tweeted about how crazy it was to think that Ottawa's top line, centered by Jason Spezza would feature Erik Condra (Notre Dame) and Bobby Butler (New Hampshire). Take a closer look at their current lineup and it's filled with former college hockey players - some they had drafted and some signed as free agents - who have earned the opportunity to play in the NHL. Given their current situation, they, along with other teams looking to restock the pipeline, are sure to turn to that college free agent pool once again this year.
Here are some of the guys you should be paying attention to:
Stephane Da Costa - Merrimack - Sophomore - There isn't a team in the league that hasn't taken a look at the native of Paris, France and, in fact, many of them offered him a contract after his freshman campaign in which he racked up 16g, 29a in 34 games and earned every Rookie of the Year award college hockey has to offer. He surprised many when he turned them all down and announced that he was returning to the Warriors for at least one more season. First, he felt that he wasn't as ready as he could be for the chance to play in the NHL and that another year to get bigger, stronger and gain more experience would benefit him. Second, he felt that Merrimack's program was on the verge of something big and he wanted to be a part of it. 36 points in 27 games later, Da Costa has helped the Warriors all but lock up an invitation to the NCAA tournament as one of the best teams in the country. He suffered a MCL sprain a few weeks ago, but is looking to be back in the lineup next week for the start of the Hockey East playoffs.
Paul Thompson - New Hampshire - Senior - After a lackluster freshman and sophomore season in which he tallied a combined 21 points, Thompson has absolutely exploded on the college hockey scene the past two years with 19g, 20a last season in 39 games and 26g, 22a in 32 games thus far this season putting him in serious contention to win the Hobey Baker this April. Part of his success is due to playing top line minutes and in all situations and part of it is that he's grown more comfortable in his 6'1, 210 lb frame. He's developed into someone his teammates and his coaches can rely on in the clutch. He scores big time goals at big time points in the game. The highest ranked skater (72nd) to be passed over in the 2007 draft, there isn't a GM looking to dip in the college hockey free agent market that doesn't have Thompson circled on his list. You can watch Paul and the rest of his Wildcat teammates play Boston College tomorrow night at 7:30ET on NESN as they battle for the Hockey East regular season title.
Andy Miele - Miami - Senior - A 5'8 and 175 lbs, it was easy for scouts to overlook Miele in his draft year, but five years later he's becoming harder and harder to ignore. He has become one of the most dynamic players college hockey has to offer as he's amassed 19g, 42a for 61 points in 34 games thus far this season to lead the country in scoring by nearly 10 points. Over his four year career, he has 150 points in 136 games. He's got speed, vision and skill and is a lock for the Hobey Hat Trick. His skill can't be questioned, but scouts wonder if his smaller stature will hinder his ability to be as successful at the next level where players are bigger, faster and stronger, but if a team gives him the opportunity to do what he does best, they won't regret it.
Some other college free agents to note are Cal Heeter (G, Ohio State), Pat Cannone (F, Miami), Carter Camper (F, Miami) and Justin Fontaine (F, MN-Duluth). I'll give you more information on them next week and tomorrow, I'll have a feature on another free agent, Brian Gibbons from BC. For now, there's a train to Boston that has a seat with my name on it...
Julie
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