WCHA underclassmen to the pros

Hilltopper99 · Post by **Hilltopper99** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:52 pm

Any news and/or guesses on who may be leaving early? Wisconsin's Blake Geoffrion has said he's staying. No word from Jamie McBain, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him in a Hurricanes uniform this season (or, more likely, an Albany River Rats uniform). I would think some Gophers and Sioux will have opportunities to leave as well.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:55 pm

The WCHA has its second early departure in two days.

MSU-Mankato forward Trevor Bruess signed a free agent deal with the Washington Capitals, giving up his final year of eligibility.

Bruess was suspended twice in the last month of his career for on-ice incidents. He took three minor penalties in a game against UND and took Derrick LaPoint into the boards, leaving the Sioux sophomore with a broken leg. That led to a one-game suspension.

Bruess was Mankato's leading scorer two seasons ago.

Yesterday, Anchorage's Paul Crowder signed a free agent deal with the New York Rangers.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:23 pm

Colorado College defenseman Brian Connelly is the third underclassman to leave early this offseason. Connelly, a junior, has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connelly had three goals and 24 assists for 27 points last season. He was the third-leading scorer for the Tigers.

I believe Connelly is Colorado College's first early departure since defenseman Brian Salcido in 2006. Salcido signed a free-agent deal with Anaheim. He made his NHL debut this season, playing in two games for the Ducks.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:15 pm

The WCHA has its fourth early departure of the spring.

Wisconsin defenseman Jamie McBain, the WCHA's player of the year and lone Hobey Baker finalist from the league, has signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

McBain led the Badgers in scoring with 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists).

He will join the Albany River Rats.

youngblood08 · Post by **youngblood08** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:22 pm

Ryan Stoa has signed a 2 yr contract with teh Colorado Avalanche.

MNHockey75 · Post by **MNHockey75** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:38 am

It's now official, Colorado College Richard Bachman is the sixth player to leave the WCHA early this offseason.

Bachman signed a contract with the Dallas Stars, giving up his final two years of eligibility. That means the Tigers won't have a goalie on the roster next season with a college start. Backup Drew O'Connell gradutes.

Bachman was the 2007-08 WCHA player of the year.

Colorado College seemed to escape early departures in previous years with players like Brett Sterling, Marty Sertich and Chad Rau staying for four years. But the Tigers have already lost two guys this offseason, in addition to the graduation of Rau, Eric Walsky and Scott McCulloch. They'll also have to keep an eye on Bill Sweatt.