Boston.com: Colborne To Sign With Bruins

(above) Boston.com says Joe Colborne will be developing in the AHL next season

From: Boston.com
by Fluto Shinzawa


Joe Colborne is still a sophomore at the University of Denver, which kicks off NCAA Tournament play Friday. The Pioneers, the top seed in the East Regional, will take on RIT. Colborne, the Bruins’ first-round pick in 2008, is hoping he’ll still be playing come April 10, the date of the NCAA title match at Detroit’s Ford Field.

But there’s a good possibility that once Denver’s season concludes, the 19-year-old center will sign with the Bruins and forgo the last two years of his college career. The Bruins have yet to discuss the situation with Colborne, his family, and Denver coach George Gwozdecky. Given Colborne’s development and how he projects as an NHL player, however, he should be ready to turn pro and most likely be a full-time AHLer in 2010-11.

Colborne, the 16th overall pick in 2008, has 21 goals and 19 assists in 41 games this season, second in team scoring behind Rhett Rakhshani (21-29—50). Colborne entered the draft with a pass-first reputation, but the 6-foot-5-inch, 210-pound center leads the WCHA with eight game-winning goals.

“He’s had a really good year,’’ said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli.

Colborne will sign a three-year, entry-level contract. Because of his draft position, he most likely will earn $875,000 in base salary, the maximum that players picked in 2009 can earn. Colborne will also be eligible for bonuses that could add several millions to his contract.

25 comments:

pessimisticfan said...

not a surprise at all

puck swami said...

Not a surprise, really. He can play in the AHL certainly, and get paid to do it. The bigger question in my mind is his family doesn't need the money, and it would make just as much sense to me to play another year at Denver and dominate the college game rather than struggle in the AHL. Busing around the AHL isn't as much fun as playing college hockey, either.

That said, Joe will be an NHLer, and it's only a matter of time.

Anonymous said...

"The Bruins have yet to discuss the situation with Colborne, his family, and Denver coach George Gwozdecky."

This is an odd statement, especially when the article claims that as soon as DU's season ends that he will sign. Seems to me that the Bruins plan on offering Colborne a nice contract and this writer thinks Colborne will just jump once offered.

dggoddard said...

"The Bruins have yet to discuss the situation with Colborne, his family, and Denver coach George Gwozdecky."

This is probably to avoid breaking NCAA rules. Guessing the "family advisor" would be the go between.

Colborne is going to be getting 1st round money. Probably the same money as Bozak. That would be two players in two years that received the "Rookie Max." In other words two players that received the same money that any player taken #1 overall in the Draft would receive.

Anonymous said...

No no no no no no no Noooooooooo!

Don't go Joe! We'll miss you - that's Fo' Sho' !!!!!!!!

JC has some unfinished business with a guy from MTU; I guess the Huskies player will have to watch him on TV from now on.
Man, I'm surprised this is coming out this soon, before the season is over

dggoddard said...

Probably any discussion between any of the parties would be an NCAA violation.

The "family advisor" was probably involved.

dggoddard said...

Another thing you don't usually hear until the season is over is that Adam Murray may be transferring to UAA. Donald over at UAA Hockey Blog left this cryptic comment.

"DG,

What do you hear on the rumor that Adam Murray is entirely nonplussed with his first year at DU and that due to ongoing bashing of him by the DU fanbase and the clear lack of faith show in him shown by Gwoz is considering coming home.

Surprising how often that happens with Alaska-based kids you know? Hear anything about all that?"

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19992055&postID=5168209615584559508&isPopup=true

dggoddard said...

Second source makes the deal pretty much official.

98.5 Sport Hub radio in Boston reported this morning that the Bruins expect to sign Joe Colborne when DU's run in the NCAAs is over.

They are just waiting for Joe to be able to put ink to paper without loss of NCAA eligibility.

Let's hope Joe leaves us with some hardware on his way out the door.

Anonymous said...

So are there classes going on now at all? Boy, talk about being a slacker in class (I'm not saying JC would do that; but I can just envision a guy walking around campus like he was Mr. Badass with a big head, courtin' all the girls, with the news out about how much money he's going to make). I think Joe's studying days are put on hold for now, to say the least. As we all know, he played college hockey for the best Coaches and best team....... Don't clean out your Dorm room yet though...There's one more task at hand

Anonymous said...

Colborne is not ready for the NHL. He will float around the AHL and wish he was back at DU. Overated player.

achsdu17 said...

If Colborne does go that will really hurt DU for next season... ya I'm not looking much forward to that right now.

I think Colborne is good enough to play in the AHL but I think he'll be wondering around that level for 3 maybe 4 years. At some point though I really do believe he will be a NHL 2nd line player.

DC said...

Say it ain't so, Joe. You did so well for Team Cougar Fantasy Hockey.

dggoddard said...

Colborne is a 1st Round Draft choice. He's going to get every benefit of the doubt and move up quickly.

vizoroo said...

When Jumbo was drafted in the 1st round, there was a lot of discussion whether he would be one and done. And during that 1st year it took him awhile to get untracked plus add the bulk and strength for the size of his frame.Hence, back for this year.

Don't think any of us thought he would be a DU for 4 years. Next year Joe would not have Rock and Ruegs for linemates. And....

Here's hoping if he leaves this year, its with a NCAA Championship ring!

Anonymous said...

Being a Red Sox fan, I read the Globe all the time. If there is one thing they do well, it is spreading a lot of BS rumors. They get called on it all the time.

Heck, there was even a discussion on there recently about how "Joe Mauer preferred the Red Sox". Three days later he signed a mega contract to stay with the Twins.

For all I know, this report is 100% accurate but the Globe is not always fully accurate, especially lately. They were almost shutdown recently and it seems the Globe has been starting a lot of weird sports rumors in order to help drive up readership. The more accurate reports come from the Boston Herald and they have nothing about Colborne.

Read and trust The Globe at your own risk, in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Colborne needs one more year of college. He still needs to fill out and play more consistently.

dggoddard said...

If Boston's offering the Rookie Maximum, he has to take it.

57 means 53 and counting said...

good thing he is playing with Stuart so he doesn't get put on his pockey!

Anonymous said...

Rahkshani,Ruegsegger, Colborne, Cheverie, Weircoch...... Good luck next year guys.....you're gonna be screwed!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Zucker, Makowski, Shore, Bennett, Olszewski, Mermis......
Screwd next year, huh? You is wrong!

Twister said...

This is a bummer. I thought we'd get one more year of Big Joe. But he certainly has taken his game to the next level this season.

Is Wiercioch next?

Anonymous said...

I can just envision a guy walking around campus like he was Mr. Badass with a big head, courtin' all the girls, with the news out about how much money he's going to make)."

Colborne already has plenty of money - his family is in the oil business in Calgary, AB.

While JC improved tremendously this season I also believe that he could use 1 more year at the collegiate level where he could fill out a bit and really dominate before going to the pro's. JC's situation reminds me a bit of Blake Wheeler at Minnesota. Wheeler turned out just fine though and is doing well in the NHL with the Bruins so who knows?

Anonymous said...

Rahkshani,Ruegsegger, Colborne, Cheverie, Weircoch...... Good luck next year guys.....you're gonna be screwed!!!!!

This is the same Susie fan that has posted before. Go back to sandbagging flathead.

Mike B said...

I am just glad that he stayed for two years, of course, if these rumors are true. He certainly could have left with Bozzey last year, but stayed for a successful soph year. Personally, I feel as if he, along with Patty Wiercioch, should stay in Denver, work with the trainers and put on some NHL size and muscle. They both look like stick figures on skates. You NEED NHL size to be playing in the Show. Just ask Brett Skinner after he left early. He never put on proper weight.

Anonymous said...

You know the song. Beat it.