LetsGoDU

Editorial
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College Hockey Recruiting
Where 7 minus 4 equals 0 Scholarships

As you may know DU has 7 Seniors on the team, but only 4 confirmed recruits for next season (Cheverie, Bozak, Martin & Ostrow). Add in the unexpected departure of T.J Fast and it would appear that DU has 8 spots open next season. The question is, why would DU make recruits Gregorie, Lee and/or potential recruit Riley Nash wait until '08?

I think the key lies with Steven Cook. He's a Senior, but I now think that DU is confident that he will be playing for the Pioneers in 2007. I have no inside information, just a hunch based on a few signs.

DU's star women's lacrosse player Kristie Leggio is in her 6th year of college. Like Cook she transferred (from Maryland) and sat out a year. DU applied for a "hardship" and now she's playing an extra season for the Pioneers. I believe that DU is using the same logic, plus Cook's injury at Air Force to apply for "an extra season."

We also know that Cook took the LSAT last weekend, so its not a stretch to think that he might be enrolling at DU's Law School next Fall.

With 6 or 7 players leaving, wouldn't DU still have extra scholarships available? Probably not, because "media darling" Danny King probably doesn't have a scholarship. Additionally, there might be several players on the current Roster that are playing with less than full scholarships that are "owed" better deals due to increased playing time or a previous agreement.

With Corbin coming back this weekend, one would assume that he is no longer a Redshirt Candidate and that might also free up a scholarship.

The final piece in the puzzle will be if Paukovich or Butler leave early for professional hockey. If a defenseman leaves early, that would presumably bring in Lee.