The Frozen Four is days away and the buzz in Hockey Valley continues to build as speculation about who will be the first Nittany Lion hockey coach grows.
It's all good, but there is an underlying theme that I've talked about in the past that was brought to the foreground over the past few days. An online article and an interview with a rumored coaching candidate have highlighted the difference between hockey at the "club" level and it's varsity counterpart.
It is a given that the vast majority of the young men who have played for the Icers over the history of the program spent four or five years as student-athletes before moving on to make their mark in their chosen fields.
Unfortunately, that will likely change once the varsity program begins. As I've said several times, hockey at Penn State will go from the family atmosphere as it has been with the Icers to more of a business.
Everyone involved with hockey and athletics at Penn State, notably Tim Curley, Joe Battista and Vance McCullough, have stated that Penn State wants to focus on education ahead of hockey, which is as it should be.
However, some of the young men recruited for the Nittany Lions hockey program will, at some point, have to make a decision about continuing their education or leaving school early to sign with the NHL team that has drafted them.
Case in point - this from Andy Baggot at madison.com talking about the number of players that have already left or could possibly leave school early:
Andy also mentions the "possible defection" of Denver head coach George Gwozdecky. Whether or not he's in the running to come to Hockey Valley, Coach Gwoz has some strong thoughts about college hockey players completing their four years before moving on.
Chris Botta, the former longtime media relations VP for the New York Islanders, spoke with the coach last week shortly before Matt Donovan announced he was leaving DU for the Islanders.
It's a lengthy interview, but the money quote (begins at about 5:00) is this:
Botta, by the way, is the central character in a boycott by the New York-area members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). They announced on Friday that they will abstain from voting in the year-end awards as a form of protest after Islanders GM Garth Snow revoked Botta's media credential.
It's all good, but there is an underlying theme that I've talked about in the past that was brought to the foreground over the past few days. An online article and an interview with a rumored coaching candidate have highlighted the difference between hockey at the "club" level and it's varsity counterpart.
It is a given that the vast majority of the young men who have played for the Icers over the history of the program spent four or five years as student-athletes before moving on to make their mark in their chosen fields.
Unfortunately, that will likely change once the varsity program begins. As I've said several times, hockey at Penn State will go from the family atmosphere as it has been with the Icers to more of a business.
Everyone involved with hockey and athletics at Penn State, notably Tim Curley, Joe Battista and Vance McCullough, have stated that Penn State wants to focus on education ahead of hockey, which is as it should be.
However, some of the young men recruited for the Nittany Lions hockey program will, at some point, have to make a decision about continuing their education or leaving school early to sign with the NHL team that has drafted them.
Case in point - this from Andy Baggot at madison.com talking about the number of players that have already left or could possibly leave school early:
To date four schools have lost one underclassman to the pros: Denver sophomore defenseman Matt Donovan (New York Islanders); UW junior defenseman Jake Gardiner (Toronto); Minnesota junior defenseman Aaron Ness (Islanders); St. Cloud State junior defenseman Oliver Lauridsen (Philadelphia).
If North Dakota wins its eighth NCAA title, it will almost certainly lose more than the seven seniors on its roster. Junior winger Jason Gregoire (Islanders) and junior defenseman Ben Blood (Ottawa) seem the most likely defections as underclassmen. They may sign even if the Fighting Sioux fall short.
If Minnesota-Duluth wins its first NCAA title, it will almost certainly lose multiple underclassmen in addition to six seniors. Junior winger Mike Connolly (free agent) and freshman defenseman Justin Faulk (Carolina) are the prime candidates to exit along with junior center Jack Connolly (free agent). Again, they may sign even if the Bulldogs stumble.
In addition to nine seniors, Denver has lost Donovan and will have to sweat out the possibility that freshman winger Jason Zucker (Minnesota) and sophomore center Drew Shore (Florida) will turn pro.
Andy also mentions the "possible defection" of Denver head coach George Gwozdecky. Whether or not he's in the running to come to Hockey Valley, Coach Gwoz has some strong thoughts about college hockey players completing their four years before moving on.
Chris Botta, the former longtime media relations VP for the New York Islanders, spoke with the coach last week shortly before Matt Donovan announced he was leaving DU for the Islanders.
It's a lengthy interview, but the money quote (begins at about 5:00) is this:
“I have never, ever talked to a player who has regretted staying for another year. A lot of players across the country have left early and regretted their move.”
Botta, by the way, is the central character in a boycott by the New York-area members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). They announced on Friday that they will abstain from voting in the year-end awards as a form of protest after Islanders GM Garth Snow revoked Botta's media credential.
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