University of Denver sophomore forward Beau Bennett has decided to forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, Penguins Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero announced Friday. The deal begins with the 2012-13 season and runs through the 2014-15 campaign.
27 comments:
Man, this a major buzzkill. DU fans barely got a glimpse of Bennett. Really unfortunate he was hurt so much of this past season--he sure looked ready to blossom as an elite player. Anyway, hopefully he can stay healthy and flourish in the pros. Good luck Beau!
Not that this wasn't expected but........... it still hurts.
I had to go to the DU website to calculate this out but, between all the seniors and Zuck, DShore, and BB leaving, DU is losing 48% of our goals and 46% of our assists.
I believe this signals the official beginning of the DU Hockey rebuilding year/years.
Bittersweet, but good luck Beau!
No surprise
Good luck to Beau. Too bad his injury robbed him of what would have been a much larger contribution .
It does make me wonder who is going to put the puck in the net next year for DU. I think we all have to hope that guys like S. Ostrow, Knowlton, Loney, and Doremus all step up (and complement Nick Shore) and take their game to the next level. Perhaps we get a unknown freshman to emerge as well. Hopefully we can count on a stout defense and strong goaltending.
This just sounds like a major mistake to me. He realistically played about a year of college hockey. He's probably going to get owned in the A.
Really not going to miss Bennett.Not a team player. For a #1draft pick I give him 2 years in the minors and then he is DONE! DU is lacking team guys BIG TIME.
Your D and goaltending will carry you guys a long way. Yes, your losing a lot of scoring, but Gwoz will figure it out.
5:42 For you to say Bennett is not a team player, you do not know this young man!
5:42 = troll. I have no doubt that Beau is a team player. He just didn't get a chance to do much at the college level, due to his first-year adjustment to college game, and then his second-year injury. There is no doubt that his game and development would be served by playing another year at the college level. But he's a first rounder, and I guess different logic applies to those guys. Good luck to him. Maybe he'll be able to pull a Stastny-like surprise with success at the next level.
If Gwoz figuered it out he'd leave his ego at home and still have these three players for next year. He doesn't care!!
To 7:17 Seriously....Gwoz is a top five if not three coach in all of NCAA hockey. Players leaving early is in no way a refelction on Gwoz or his coaching ability. This happens to every school, every year.
This is coming from a Sioux fan. I just have to call bullshit when I see bullshit.
Holy Crap. Unlike Anon @ 5:23 I'm really surprised. I thought sure the Pens would want him here another year with Gwozdecky and Miller, especially after missing most of this year. I guess when a proven athlete like Sidney Crosby personally calls you on draft day....you can expect for your career to be moving sooner than later. Good luck young man; but God Dammit.... there's so much I was hoping to see next year at DU, with Drew, Jason & Beau.... woulda coulda shoulda. Very best of luck to BB
Good Luck Beau "Dangles", much success as your journey continues.
Beau we hardly knew ye...
Never blame a player for jumping. This is their dream and they have worked hard to get it .
Don't blame Gwoz, either. This is a reality of landing high skill, high drafted players.
I wish we could stop the bleeding, too. But put yourself in the position of one of these young guys. You're sitting around your apartment, watching Sports Center, and some dude comes in and dumps a gunny sack full of hundred dollar bills on your coffee table. With promises of more gunny sacks down the road. It would take somebody seriously addicted to the Williams Carillon to turn that down.
It is tough but Gwoz and Miller have the reputation of developing pro's with their coaching and playing style. It is a double edged sword but as long as underclassmen can get drafted, the good teams will be picked over.
There is still a lot of talent on this team. In net, we are probably the best in the country...It will be fun watching this group figure it out. Clearly, it will be the system that will carry the day next season...
I am so happy for Beau's recent signee and his family in making the decision of turning pro. His skill level is unquestionably one of the best denver has seen and his predatory mindset in the offensive zone rivals that of a Stastny, Bozak or Mermis.
I have heard he is a great team guy ready to service and help his teammates with anything they need, not to mention speaking up in the locker room as a leader/cheerleader when injured (wrist tendon). Again just from what I have heard. I look forward to watching Beau, Jason the NCAA tease and Dwew compete for a spot on their respective NHL rosters.
One thing I am concerned about is filling the gap on offense. We need to hit the ice ready to dominate our opponents. I am hoping that these guys have a big summer of preparing and get ready to be on the bag and play.
Go PIO NATION!
WB-
I have to wonder if the medical staff's issues / handling of Colborne's and Brittain's injuries made the Penguins nervous? I hope not, but I feel it is something to think about.
Odd to see him sign after such an injury riddled season. But good luck BB! If he has NHL success it will help the program!
It sure will help the program. Other injuries I would have like to of seen updates on more readily include Makowski and his big head, Ryder and his knee and Wade 'the Caboose' and his hips. I know they keep these things quiet but as a loyal fan it would be nice to know.
As a fan I also wondering if these guys pursue their schooling after signing? I had read that Beau is 4.0 student and never missed a day of class...? Also Jason and Drew potentially trying to finish their degrees? Just my old age curious mind!
Excited for the upcoming season!
Beau did attain a 4.0 last quarter and was recognized along with fellow teammates Ostrow, Phillips, and the podimal at a game earlier this year. He and Jason were both psychology majors so I'm sure they'll be working towards their degrees with all the free time they will have now.
As for Drew, his twitter account verified that he has been finishing up some classes over in San Antonio which is great to see.
I'm sure it will be an exciting season for DU next year with the players returning and look forward to seeing that slick alley cat Sammy B and the boys back 100% healthy starting next september!!!
DU was a charter member of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports, founded in the 80's at Northeastern by Dr. Richard Lapchick, who got his PhD at DU. The idea is for professional athletes to return to school to complete their degrees at low or no cost. In return, they donate time to speak to kids about conflict resolution, the importance of school, against violence and drugs and other important issues. So far, nearly 30,000 athletes have participated in the program, nearly 14 thousand have received degrees. The athletes have donated 19 million hours of community service and helped 18 million kids.
DU exes who've signed NHL contracts should have the money to pay full pop for tuition. But the Consortium is a great alternative. And something for which we should be proud. I'm hoping we still partipate.
Thank you that was interesting to know regarding players and potential degrees after signing.
One area I am very excited to see unfold is our d-men. Paul will definitely be leading the d-core with his experience and big burly beefy frame. Joey and Dave will be looked to towards providing offense but i just can't see them playing together as an intimate pairing. I think that Josiah, scott and the caboose will round out the top 6 while the 2 freshman will make their way into the line-up depending on injuries and adjustment.
These guys are going to have to carry the loads of the pioneers if they hope to contend with the offensive powers they are likely to face.
It's always interesting to hear people say a team is entering a rebuilding year, with some fans expecting a drab season and low standings just because guys have left - but they make no mention of the guys coming IN. We have 5 or so young men who've been dreaming about playing college hockey for 8 years who can't wait to get here and start winning. Do you think Van Voorhis and Quentin are bummed right now? You think they're expecting to be a crappy team and take 3 years to rebuild??? You think they should just not play hockey, and work weekends at Dave & Busters instead?? Hell no man - they're ready to mow some grass; ready to unclog the sink; ready to scoop some ice cream; ready to.... play some hockey and make a name for themselves in the NCAA! My God people - this is not the end of mankind.
Pencil DU in as a .500 team next season.
Anon 08:48,
I'd rather see the injury reports on the other teams. No bounty system but the boys could test to see who is healthy.
DU will be forced to become a hard working team next year. therefore i believe they will have a much improved year from the previous couple campaigns
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