Another College Kid Jumps Ship

First it was Nick Leddy (who signed a 3 year - 2.7 million dollar deal with Chicago today) and Josh Birkolz (who violated team rules, reportedly a failed drug test) who left Minnesota. Now Lucas Lessio (pictured) has chosen the Oshawa Generals over the Michigan Wolverines. You can read the story here.

Now, some might say Leddy leaving is a feather in the cap for the NCAA as he will likely either play in the NHL or AHL, but he only played one year at Minnesota. Where I come from it's pretty hard to get a college degree in one year, and one of the biggest arguments from College Hockey Inc is that players get a better education packaged by going the NCAA route as opposed to the CHL.

Throw in the fact that half of the Notre Dame hockey roster has been arrested this year and it hasn't been a good summer for NCAA hockey. There are still tonnes of great hockey players playing college hockey and there will be great games this year, with great story lines that TPS will talk about, but there's no doubt the image has taken a hit this year.

Golden Gophers Lose Two More

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As first reported here, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are about to lose two players. The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to sign defenceman Nick Leddy and forward Josh Birkholz has left the program and is likely headed to the WHL's Everett Silvertips.

2009 Draft Performers of the Week - Nov. 16/08

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) / International Scouting Services (ISS) 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week presented by the Pipeline Show & Hockey Now ending Sunday, November 16, 2008.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE – OHL

Ontario Hockey League – Matt Duchene, Brampton Battalion

Matt Duchene is this week’s OHL draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and adding 5 assists in 3 games while also posting a plus-3 rating. Duchene, a 5’11” centre currently sits fifth in OHL scoring with 12 goals and 31 points in 22 games. The Haliburton, ON native is an offensively gifted player with good mobility.


WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE – WHL

Western Hockey League – Nathan Lieuwen, Kootenay Ice

Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen makes his debut as WHL draft performer of the week after two wins including a shutout versus Edmonton Saturday. The 6’ 4” Lieuwen is in his first full season with Kootenay and currently ranks amongst the top goaltenders in Shutouts (2) and Goals Against Average (2.62). The Abbotsford, BC native has a quick glove and has improved his positional play since last year’s World U-17 Challenge.

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE – QMJHL

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – Dmitry Kulikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs

For the second consecutive week Dmitry Kulikov has been named QMJHL draft performer of the week. Kulikov recorded a goal and 4 assists in three games to give himself 10 points in his last 6 games. The 6’ 1” 195 lb Russian defenseman has 4 goals and 22 points in 20 games this season, his first in the Canadian Junior system. Kulikov is known for his overall offensive prowess and big shot from the blueline.

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE – USHL

United States Hockey League – Josh Birkholz, Fargo Force

Josh Birkholz represents the USHL as the draft performer of the week after notching 2 goals and 2 assists in games versus Waterloo and Sioux City. Birkholz, a native of Maple Grove, MN has 4 goals and 4 assists in 11 games this season, placing him third in Fargo team scoring. The 6’ 1” forward is a good skater with a decent shot who plays with a physical edge.