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2020-21 NCAA Hockey Season Delayed

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While it should come as no surprise given the mass postponements of other college sports this fall, NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Hockey has opted to follow suit.  The Hockey Commissioners Association, which represents the 11 hockey conferences across Division I,  announced that the season will not begin in early October as usual, but instead will be delayed to a to-be-determined future date:

The 11 Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey conferences, represented by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA), are committed to providing memorable experiences for our student-athletes during the upcoming season. The conferences have been working together on plans to return to play with a focus on the health and safety of everyone associated within our campus communities. Due to the impact COVID-19 continues to have across the country and within higher education, the start of competition for the Division I college hockey season will be delayed. Each conference will announce plans for the season individually.

The good news is that, though each conference will determine their own start date, it likely won’t be too long before college hockey begins in some capacity. The NCHC, which boasts top programs like North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth, and Denver, have already noted that they plan to start on or around November 20th, which would put them around the same time as the hopeful start of NHL training camp for next season as well. ESPN’s Chris Peters writes that other conferences are believed to be eyeing this timeline as well.

However, NCAA Hockey will not be at full strength when the league does kick off this season. As previously reported, the Ivy League Conference has cancelled all sports in the fall semester, as opposed to just “fall sports”. Seven of the Ivy League’s member schools play in the ECAC and are not expected to be back on the ice until January 1 or later. With half of their team’s out of action, the ECAC itself may have a more difficult call to make on when to begin their season.

As The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy notes, when the college hockey season does commence there will be no greater story than the elite 2021 NHL Draft prospects at the University of Michigan. Defenseman Owen Power and forwards Kent Johnson and Matthew Beniers – who recently switched his commitment from the sidelined Harvard University – area all expected to be top ten picks in the draft next summer. Never before has the NCAA boasted this depth of top tier draft talent in one season, never mind on one team. With a number of NHL prospects on the roster already and several more set to be drafted in October, the Wolverines are undoubtedly the team to watch once college hockey makes its return.

Snapshots: Penguins, Hinote, NCAA

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have already made one trade to add a fresh face to their forward group, but more changes are coming before the start of next season. Josh Yohe of The Athletic breaks down the latest from the team, including a report that the Penguins have “soured” on Jared McCann’s ability to fill the third-line center role. McCann “is a player the Penguins are willing to move” according to Yohe, who also details several other situations including goaltending and defense.

McCann, 24, would likely have huge market appeal if made available, given his versatility and relatively solid regular season in Pittsburgh. The forward, who can play both center and wing, scored 14 goals and 35 points in 66 games but ended up scratched in the playoffs. One thing to remember for any acquiring team, McCann is a restricted free agent in need of a new contract and would be joining his fourth NHL organization before the age of 25.

  • Craig Custance of The Athletic reports that Dan Hinote will be an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators this season, though there has been no official hiring announcement from the team as of this writing. Hinote, who spent nine seasons in the NHL as a depth forward, has worked with the US National Team Development Program the last two seasons and previously was with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. The Predators, and specifically GM David Poile, are known for their connection to the USNTDP as seen with their recent hiring of head coach John Hynes.
  • Speaking of amateur hockey in the United States, the college season is expected to be officially delayed in the coming days according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, but optimism is apparently building that a 2020-21 season will be held at some point. Corey Pronman of The Athletic has also heard that a late-November start is the hope for college hockey.

Austin Lemieux Retires From Hockey

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Austin Lemieux won’t be following in his famous father’s footsteps, at least not exactly. The son of all-time NHL great and Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux and a forward for Arizona State University, Lemieux did not appear on the Sun Devils’ 2020-21 roster when it was released Thursday. College Hockey News’ Greg Cameron reports that this is because Lemieux is no longer with the team. He has reportedly decided to retire from hockey.

Lemieux, 24, was never drafted into the NHL but was still considered a pro prospect due to his large frame and high hockey IQ. Lemieux earned a scholarship to Arizona State and joined the program in 2017. After redshirting for his first season, Lemieux helped the team to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 2018-19 with 13 points in 31 games. He followed that up with 14 points in 35 games this season for a Sun Devils squad that very likely would have made the tournament again if it had not been canceled. Although these are not remarkable numbers for Lemieux, he was a key piece of the ASU team. In several appearances at Pittsburgh Penguins development camp, he was also considered a standout participant.

For whatever reason, Lemieux has decided – with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining – to hang up his skates and abandon his NHL dreams. However, he is not done with his aspirations of being a pro athlete like his dad. Cameron writes that Lemieux plans to pursue a career in professional golf. While he did not play collegiately at Arizona State, Lemieux was a very successful amateur golfer while growing up in Pennsylvania and it appears that he now plans to re-focus his efforts onto golf as his sport of choice.

NCAA Hockey To Allow Juniors Competition This Fall

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Given the unknown status of college sports this fall due to Coronavirus, the NCAA has decided to afford athletes the opportunity to play away from their college teams while remaining enrolled in classes. As USCHO details, outside competition will prove especially valuable to college hockey players. Pending school and conference approval, players will be allowed to compete for junior teams this season if their college seasons are postponed.

While a number of athletic conferences have delayed or cancelled “fall sports”, only the Ivy League has cancelled all sports for the fall semester. While the conference itself does not sponsor hockey, a number of its members play in the ECAC. They include Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, and Princeton. Depending on the state of COVID-19, other schools or conferences could end up postponing or cancelling competition this fall as well. It also stands to reason that this exception will be extended to the spring semester if the 2020-21 season is cancelled altogether by conferences or the NCAA.

In order for athletes to take part in outside competition this fall, there are some requirements. First and foremost, the schools cannot cover any expenses incurred by the athlete as a result of taking part in junior competition. The athletes must also be in good academic standing and enrolled in classes. Finally, no class time can be missed due to practice or competition with outside teams. Seeing as the vast majority of players who would be taking advantage of this opportunity would not also be able to be taking in-person classes, the class time rule would only apply to online classes with specific meeting times.

One thing that is not changing is that NCAA athletes may not take part in CHL competition. The OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are considered pro leagues under the NCAA’s definition of “amateurism” and anyone playing in these league’s forfeits their NCAA eligibility. The same can be said for European pro leagues. This outside competition exception is likely to impact the USHL more than any other junior league. However, the Canadian Junior-A leagues and European junior leagues could also see an influx of talent, especially for those foreign athletes with immigration issues who are choosing to stay home this semester.

One way or another, this is a win-win for the game of hockey. College athletes are given added flexibility that will allow them to play, junior leagues will receive a boost in talent, and NHL teams will get a full season of scouting for those prospects who otherwise might have been sitting out this fall.

Chris Wilkie Signs In AHL

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Another one of the players who saw their exclusive draft rights expire earlier this month has found a new home, as Chris Wilkie signs a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs. Wilkie was a draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 2015 but was actually acquired by the Ottawa Senators last October. Unfortunately, the Senators weren’t able to sign him before the August deadline, meaning Wilkie became an unrestricted free agent able to sign with whatever organization he chose.

A sixth-round pick of the Panthers, he was actually the player sent to Ottawa for Jack Rodewald who was subsequently involved in the Brendan Leipsic Instagram messaging scandal, actions condemned by the NHL and the Florida organization. Rodewald will become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this fall, but it doesn’t appear as though the Panthers gave up much of an opportunity anyway when they moved on from Wilkie.

The 24-year old forward actually had an outstanding goal-scoring campaign for Colorado College in 2019-20, scoring 23 times in just 34 games. That dwarfed his previous NCAA high of six goals and earned him some national recognition.

Still, Wilkie will have to start in the minor leagues and continue to work his way up the chain if he dreams of ever playing in the NHL. His AHL contract will not allow the Chicago Blackhawks to recall him, but perhaps he can show enough this season to earn himself an entry-level deal down the road.

UAA Cancels Men’s Hockey Program

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For the sports world, there was always bound to be long-term effects from the coronavirus pandemic. Leagues like the AHL are still trying to figure out how to hold a season without gate revenue, while the NHL is working hard to stay financially stable for the next few years as it rebuilds. College sports are perhaps taking it even harder and today a storied hockey program got the ultimate bad news.

The University of Alaska-Anchorage has decided to eliminate four programs from the sports roster, one of which will be men’s hockey. The changes will occur for the 2021-22 season, though obviously there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming year as well. In May, the WCHA announced a schedule that would begin in October.

While this isn’t a program that churns out NHL players every year, UAA does have a notable representative still alive in the 2020 playoffs. Jay Beagle, Stanley Cup champion and current Vancouver Canucks forward, spent two seasons with the Seawolves before starting his professional career. NCAA programs like this are the way many undrafted players get noticed, with names like Beagle and Curtis Glencross being perhaps the most notable examples from UAA.

Prospect Notes: O’Brien, Berni, Patera

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Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Jay O’Brien will fulfill his commitment to Boston University, following a year in the BCHL as he sat out due to transfer rules. O’Brien struggled mightily in his first year of NCAA hockey with Providence College in 2018-19, scoring just five points in 25 games, but will try again after showing exactly why he was a first-round pick in 2018.

The 20-year old forward tied for fourth in BCHL scoring with 66 points in just 46 games, earning himself a first team All-Star selection in the process. While there is still a long way to go for O’Brien before he provides any kind of value for the Flyers, getting back into college hockey (whenever it happens) is a good step.

  • Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Tim Berni will be playing in Switzerland for the next few months, after being loaned to the ZSC Lions for the time being. Berni will be allowed to return to North America for NHL training camp in November, though it is extremely unlikely at this point that he would make the Blue Jackets roster. The 20-year old was a sixth-round pick in 2018 but has played the last two full seasons in the NLA, recording 11 points in 45 games this year.
  • Jiri Patera, who only signed his entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights a little over a month ago, will begin the year in the Czech Republic with Motor Ceske Budejovice. The goaltending prospect put up a .921 save percentage for the Brandon Wheat Kings this season and will try to continue his development this season against professionals.

Full 2020 List Of Expiring NCAA Draft Rights

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In a normal year, the middle of August usually represents the dullest time of the hockey calendar. Free agent frenzy is almost completely over, there are still a few weeks until training camp really gets underway and there isn’t even ice at many local rinks. 2020 is not a normal year.

This time around the NHL is playing multiple games every day, eliminated teams are preparing for a condensed offseason and Rod Brind’Amour is getting fined daily. Almost all of the regular dates on the NHL’s calendar have been shifted, but at least one threshold is about to pass normally. That’s the college signing deadline, when those drafted players who have spent four years in the NCAA but failed to sign an NHL entry-level contract can become free agents. These players will hit the open market if not signed by August 15th at 4pm CT.

CapFriendly as always has the full list:

Arizona Coyotes

Dean Stewart – 188th overall, 2016

Boston Bruins

Cameron Clarke – 136th overall, 2016

Carolina Hurricanes

Matt Filipe – 67th overall, 2016
Luke Martin – 52nd overall, 2017
Luke Stevens – 126th overall, 2015
Max Zimmer – 104th overall, 2016

Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Shea – 121st overall, 2015

Colorado Avalanche

Cameron Morrison – 40th overall, 2016
Denis Smirnov – 156th overall, 2017

Columbus Blue Jackets

Carson Meyer – 179th overall, 2017

Edmonton Oilers

Graham McPhee – 149th overall, 2016

Florida Panthers

Karch Bachman – 132nd overall, 2015
Miguel Fidler – 143rd overall, 2014
Benjamin Finkelstein – 195th overall, 2016
Patrick Shea – 192nd overall, 2015

New York Islanders

Nick Pastujov – 193rd overall, 2016

Ottawa Senators

Christopher Wilkie – 162nd overall, 2015

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ryan Jones – 121st overall, 2016
Nikita Pavlychev – 197th overall, 2015

San Jose Sharks

Karlis Cukste – 130th overall, 2015

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ryan Zuhlsdorf – 150th overall, 2015

One of the names that sticks out the most will be Morrison, who was a high second-round pick and has had an excellent career at Notre Dame. The 21-year old forward recorded 27 points in 37 games this season and should find his way into a professional program at some point, even if it’s not the Avalanche. Many of the other names will transition to pro hockey in the next few weeks as well, though most will not receive an NHL contract at this juncture.

Minor Transactions: 08/07/20

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While all eyes today have been and will continue to be on the six elimination games on the postseason schedule and the impending departure of Florida GM Dale Tallon and flurry of European loans have dominated all other headlines, there have been a few small moves worth noting. Here are some minor transactions from the day:

  • After a long career in North America, journeyman Carter Camper is finally headed overseas. Leksands IF of the SHL has announced a two-year deal with Camper, who brings over 550 AHL games of experience to Sweden. Camper, an NCAA standout at Miami University, was initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins in 2011 and spent three seasons with Boston, followed by one-year stops with Ottawa, Washington, and New Jersey. He last played on an NHL contract in 2016-17 but has continued to be an elite AHL producer on minor league deals with several clubs. However, as the 32-year-old continues to score at a high level without getting another shot at the NHL, it is no surprise that he has finally chased a pay day to Europe.
  • The AHL’s Providence Bruins poached a physical defenseman from the Charlotte Checkers last off-season in Josiah Didier and he ended up leading the team in games played and plus/minus. As a result, they will try again, as insider Mark Divver reports that the team has signed Derek Sheppard to a one-year deal. While Sheppard is not the caliber of player as Didier, he is a daunting physical presence, recording 67 PIM in just 26 games with Charlotte this year. Sheppard will likely not be an everyday player for Providence, but can be a injection of aggression when the team needs it.
  • Brendan van Riemsdyk deviated from the path of his older brothers when he didn’t jump right from the University of New Hampshire to the pros but instead transferred to Northeastern University last year. Unfortunately, his time with the Huskies did not help him earn an NHL contract like his brothers either. Fortunately, he has at least found a place to play next season. The ECHL’s Reading Royals have announced a one-year deal with van Riemsdyk. The Royals are the ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, who of course own James van Riemsdyk, which could increase Brendan’s chance of graduating to the AHL sooner rather than later. This signing also means that if impending free agent Trevor van Riemsdyk signs in Philly, all three brothers would belong to the same organization.

Minor Transactions: 08/05/20

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With six NHL playoff games a day suddenly on the docket, summer days are now filled with hockey. Yet, the qualifying round and round robin games are not the only news-makers in the hockey world. Here are some minor moves from across several levels, including an NHL loan, a pair of AHL extensions, and some NCAA commitments:

  • With the delayed start to the season among North American leagues, there has been a rash of overseas loans among NHL prospects in recent weeks. Florida Panthers prospect Rodrigo Abols has now also joined that list. Abols, a late 2016 pick out of Latvia, is set to return to the SHL’s Orebro HK to begin next season, the team announced. Abols played in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds this season, but previously played with Orebro for the two seasons prior. He will return to Sweden on a short-term loan for now that expires in mid-November, allowing for the young forward to compete in training camp and in the AHL if the Panthers so desire, but it would also not be a surprise to see the project player stay in the SHL for the year.
  • The Ontario Reign, AHL affiliate of the L.A. Kings, have announced one-year extensions for forwards Blaine Byron and Jacob Doty. Byron, a former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and a University of Maine standout, has been a force in the AHL through three pro seasons. Byron has recorded 72 points in 136 games, including a career-high 34 in 53 games this season. Acquired by Ontario from Springfield mid-season, Byron was one of the Reign’s best players down the stretch and could be in for a big 2020-21 season. Doty, a 27-year-old journeyman, made his return to the AHL this season but recorded just one point in 18 games for Ontario. However, he provides experience and work ethic for the young farm team.
  • Harvard University has made headlines lately for losing players, both current and committed, due to the Ivy League’s ban on fall sports this year. However, they got some good news today in the form of a commitment from twin brothers with a well-known last name. Marek and Daniel Hejduk, the sons of career Colorado Avalanche star and Stanley Cup champ Milan Hejduk, each announced on Twitter today that they have committed to play at Harvard. While the 16-year-olds are still at least two seasons away from joining the Crimson, Marek is already slated to join the U.S. National Team Development Program next year and Daniel could follow. The pair seem likely to have some NHL Draft prospects by the time they are ready to move to the NCAA.
  • As for another brother duo headed to the college ranks, 16-year-old defenseman Seamus Powell announced on Instagram that he will follow his brother Eamon Powell to Boston College. Eamon, a USNTDP graduate who is set to join the Eagles this coming season, is a 2020 NHL Draft prospect expected to be selected in the second or third round in November. Seamus, a comparable small, offensive defenseman, will join the USNTDP this coming season and will be draft eligible in 2022, when he is also expected to enroll at BC.

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