While the Bruins convinced Ryan Donato to leave Harvard and turn pro on the weekend, the Flames will not be able to do the same with defenseman Adam Fox. Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson reports (Twitter link) that the 20-year-old defender will remain at the NCAA level for his junior campaign, saying that “For right now, just staying and focusing on school and hockey, that’s my focus”. Fox was Calgary’s third-round pick (66th overall) back in the 2016 draft and posted 28 points (6-22-28) in 29 games this season.
More from the West:
- After playing through a shoulder injury for a while now, the Oilers have shut down defenseman Oscar Klefbom for the rest of the season and announced (Twitter link) that he has undergone successful surgery. He will be cleared to resume workouts in the next five to six weeks. This caps what has been a particularly rough season for the 24-year-old as Klefbom recorded just five goals and 21 points in 66 games, well below his output of a dozen tallies and 38 points in 2016-17.
- The Blackhawks will be without center Jonathan Toews for the next few games due to an upper-body injury, head coach Joel Quenneville told reporters, including Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. The injury was sustained on Tuesday against Colorado although the captain was on the ice late in the contest. He will be re-evaluated next week.
- If the Stars are going to work their way back into the playoff picture, they will have to do so without the services of center Jason Spezza. Mark Stepneski of Stars Inside Edge notes (Twitter link) that the veteran is dealing with a back injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, effectively all but ending his regular season. They could get some good news from the infirmary, however. Stepneski adds that blueliner Marc Methot participated in a full practice today and could get the green light to return for Friday’s game against Boston after missing more than a week due to a hand laceration.
Another bad hit for Treviling and the Flames. This is turning out to be a terrible season on every level for the sea of red. Harvard is going to be even worse next year and Fox is picking school over development? Not a good sign!!!
He committed to Harvard when he was like 14. Maybe he wants a degree?
Nothing wrong with choosing to get an education. If he goes to the NHL, he’d be hard pressed to find free time (at least in the beginning of his career) to continue developing and finish his education. If he goes to the NHL, he likely wouldn’t finish his degree (if at all) until his mid-30s or even after he retires.
Leaving school doesn’t mean you give up your education and a degree. A huge majority of players that leave to become professional players still finish their degrees. The schools make provisions for that exact scenario.
This isn’t someone that is struggling through community college and trying to make ends meet. Teams have these scenarios in mind when they sign players early. They give time and patience for players to finish while learning in their system. I would think Harvard means this kid is dedicated and has some intelligence. Gaudreau is a good example…he left early and finished his courses without much problem. Teams know this scenario very well and help with any possible need for them to finish. I understand the education part…but as a hockey (Flames) fan? This is a little concerning lol.
Hmmm I forgot that next year will only be his Junior year in Harvard lol. He will still develop with more leadership put on him, which isn’t bad at all. He’s not eligible to play for US Juniors, but that’s ok. Aprox 29 months till UFA elegibility is not to make one worried. Redact redact lol
The same with NCAA football. The point of college is to help secure future employment…if he signs now, he’s on his way
If he gets hurt next year, or has a terrible season, the Flames may not sign him
Why risk it?
Sure there is risk but it’s not like he doesn’t have a backup plan. A lot of Harvard grads go on to have successful careers.