Denver Post: NHL Draft Adds Recruiting Pressure

(above) Early departures are playing havoc with DU's recruiting plans
by Mike Chambers

This weekend's NHL draft has become one of the bigger annual events at the University of Denver, which has become the NHL development camp of the West. 

Sophomore-to-be defenseman Joey LaLeggia, classmate Ty Loney, a forward, and incoming freshman forward Quentin Shore and incoming freshman defenseman Dakota Mermis are expected to be drafted Saturday in Rounds 2-7. In which round they are drafted, and by what team, will give us a good idea about how long they will play at DU [read entire article].

13 comments:

dggoddard said...

The article has an interesting list of the 19 players from DU who left early.

Six of 13 made the NHL or roughly 50%. The jury is still out on the other six as they get rolling with their pro careers.

So its around 50%.

Anonymous said...

This graph tells the story of draft success:

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35003&d=1246629518

Anonymous said...

We lose more players to the show year in and year out than any other program. Chambers is right on calling DU the NHL breeding ground of the west.

Anonymous said...

Free reach-arounds by the previous poster at Magness the fall.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know where I could find/buy a 2004 national championship hat?

Anonymous said...

One of the black ones, which the players wore on the ice afterwards? Not sure. I have one of the black ones, but it is mine. All. Mine.

Anonymous said...

"NHL breeding ground of the west."

Should read....."NHL breeding ground of the west for those who don't actually make an impact in the NHL."

vizoroo said...

I know it goes against the grain to say something "nice" about North Dakota, but I am impressed by the number of good players that return for their junior and senior years.

Anonymous said...

One word..... Coaching.

Gwoz cannot connect with the latest generation of athletes.

Harumph said...

Well they need to get that Physical Education degree so they can get along when hockey leaves their lives, so it's not all that surprising.

And I need a different Boone pic apparently. lol.

UWllama said...

http://www.denvercutthroats.com/

The Cutthroats have signed Luke Fulghum and Aaron MacKenzie!

Harumph said...

Hell Yeah, I hadn't noticed that they had picked a name for that new AHL team yet. I like it!

MacKenzie is the first player signed too.

Anonymous said...

Man I flippin love the NHL draft weekend. Around my house it's like the Super Bowl. I have the next 3 days totally planned out. I have 3 TV's in the living room, computer....I took of work Friday. This is like Christmas eve for me