Early Departures From WCHA

[Blue Breeze]

As is the case every year, the WCHA will lose a lot of its top players. This year is no exception, and more talent than usual could be leaving the league. So far Matt Carle and Ryan Potulny have already signed contracts, and it appears Danny Irmen signing is imminent. Drew Stafford and Travis Zajac are near locks to leave the Sioux, and it's rumored that Parise could leave as well, not to mention Spirko could head back to Europe. Kessel's status won't be determined until the summer, as goes for a lot of other players. Last year towards the end of the summer was when a lot of players announced their intentions, and I don't expect it to be any different this year. Here are some others who could bolt:<br><br>Paul Stastny (Denver)<br>Robbie Earl (Wisconsin)<br>Blake Wheeler (Minnesota)<br>Matt Niskanen (Minnesota-Duluth)<br>Brian Elliott (Wisconsin)<br>T.J Oshie (North Dakota)<br>Jack Skille (Wisconsin)<br>Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) <p></p><i></i>

[2AhockeyOldTimer]

...looks to me that SCSU is on the up and up. <p>Taylor Mattson-The Next Non-Mr. Hockey</p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

is the scsu goalie coming back this year....has he been drafted yet? <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Goepfert was a 6th round pick of the Penguins in 2002. I think he'll be back next year, I would see no reason why the Penguins would rush to sign him. <p></p><i></i>

[puckstuff9]

Backes from Mankato left for the pros as well <p></p><i></i>

[Mnhockeygod]

I don't think Oshie is going anywhere. He certainly isn't going pro yet. <p></p><i></i>

[hockeypuck02]

Just saw on the news that Danny Irmen has also decided to leave college early. A lot of people saw this coming but it's still a tough blow for the Gophers to lose Irmen and Potulny. And who knows who else might leave before next season begins. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

irmen is GONE <br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=a ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

You would think that would be it for it the Gophs, with the only other real strong possibility being Kessel, although those in the know believe he will be back. <br><br>I think North Dakota is next to be hit hard. We'll just have to stay tuned. <p></p><i></i>

[Hilltopper9]

The Gophers get some of the top kids in the country. Inevitable that many would leave before their eligibility is through. I think many of the guys on your list would benefit from another year at the college level (Skille, Kessel, Oshie). I say have an opportunity to shine before taking the next step. <p></p><i></i>

[Mnhockeygod]

ND will lose some players as well. Stafford is going to go, and Toews probably will as well. Hopefully they will hold on to the rest of the players, but I wouldn't be supprised if they lost a couple more. <p></p><i></i>

[SiouxNut]

Ive also heard that Zajac will be gone, and Spirko will go back to Europe. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Zajac signed with Devils today.<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandfork ... 330235.htm" target="top">Zajac Forgoes Final 2 Years</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

smaby(sp) for und is gone also....signed with tampa bay <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Robbie Earl has also announced his intentions to sign with the Maple Leafs. <p></p><i></i>

[hockeypuck02]

I saw an article in this morning's Pioneer Press saying that Kris Chucko of the Gophers is expected to sign with Calgary within the near future. Looks like yet another early departure for the U...<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

He is gone, signed with Calgary. Got a bigger bonus than both Potulny and Irmen. It sounds like Barribal might be coming in next year with another forward gone. <p></p><i></i>

[hockeypuck02]

Most people saw this one coming but Drew Stafford of UND has now officially left for the pros:<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.uscho.com/news/id,12604/Staf ... ffalo.html" target="top">www.uscho.com/news/id,12604/StaffordSig ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

[FutureSeaWolve]

kessel has a chance to leave this year and Wheeler will probably be gone with in the next year.<br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Looks like Spirko is heading back to Europe to pursue a pro career. Another defection from the Sioux. <p></p><i></i>

[upucker]

Toews probably will go as well. I sat next to the head scout for the Penguins (Greg Malone) in the final five. He could not say enough good things about Toews. Also it would not surprise me if the Penguins take him as they already have a couple of Shattuck players on the team in Crosby and Malones son Ryan. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

Jordan Parise just left und he signed with the devils.....anyone know if toews is going to stay or leave

[wbmd]

Sophomore center Ryan Carter recently signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Besides his two years with Mankato, Carter also played two years with Green Bay in the USHL after graduating from White Bear Lake in 2002.

Best of luck Ryan.

[Blue Breeze]

Carter is a very good all-around player, I hope he excels at the next level. Toews was drafted by the Blackhawks, so I will find it odd if he winds up in a Penguins sweater.