According to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo, Erik Haula signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Wild today.
Haula, the Gophers scoring leader on the season, will report to Minnesota's AHL affiliate Houston Aeros. The Finnish forward scored 16 goals and 35 assists on the year, good for fourth in the country and second nationally in points per game.
Haula is the sixth Gopher to leave the team before graduating this offseason, joining forwards Nick Bjugstad, Zach Budish and Jared Larson and defensemen Mark Alt and Nate Schmidt.
Hopefully this is the last early departure update we have this offseason.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Surprise! Mark Alt signs with the Flyers
While we're still waiting on word of the Erik Haula signing, the Gophers took another hit today when Mark Alt signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Alt's departure makes four early exits for Minnesota. Bjugstad (FLA), Schmidt (WAS) and Budish (NSH's AHL team) are the other three.
Although not entirely unexpected (save for Alt leaving), this offseason has been damaging for the Maroon and Gold.
According to his Twitter feed, it appears that defenseman-recruit Tommy Vanelli is going to be coming in next season to replace the departing Alt. The former Minnetonka Skipper was slated to play a year in the USHL, but Alt's departure leaves room for him on the roster. Vanelli will join an incoming freshman class of Taylor Cammarata, Hudson Fasching, Justin Kloos, and Michael Brodzinski (and redshirt freshman Connor Reilly).
Alt's departure makes four early exits for Minnesota. Bjugstad (FLA), Schmidt (WAS) and Budish (NSH's AHL team) are the other three.
Although not entirely unexpected (save for Alt leaving), this offseason has been damaging for the Maroon and Gold.
According to his Twitter feed, it appears that defenseman-recruit Tommy Vanelli is going to be coming in next season to replace the departing Alt. The former Minnetonka Skipper was slated to play a year in the USHL, but Alt's departure leaves room for him on the roster. Vanelli will join an incoming freshman class of Taylor Cammarata, Hudson Fasching, Justin Kloos, and Michael Brodzinski (and redshirt freshman Connor Reilly).
The Last Shoe to Drop? Haula Rumored to be in Talks with Wild
News today from Wild beat writer Michael Russo is that Erik Haula is in contract negotiations with the NHL team.
If and when Haula signs with the Wild, he will be the fourth non-senior to leave the Gophers this offseason, joining Nick Bjugstad (FLA), Nate Schmidt (WAS) and Zach Budish (NSH AHL-affiliate Milwaukee Admirals).
More as the story develops.
If and when Haula signs with the Wild, he will be the fourth non-senior to leave the Gophers this offseason, joining Nick Bjugstad (FLA), Nate Schmidt (WAS) and Zach Budish (NSH AHL-affiliate Milwaukee Admirals).
More as the story develops.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
More Departure News: Nick Bjugstad Signs; Wild Trade to make room for Haula (?)
Nick Bjugstad has signed with the Florida Panthers today, according to Gopher Hockey.
Bjugstad, a third-team all-WCHA player this season, scored 21 goals and added 15 assists for a total of 36 points, tied for third on the team with Zach Budish and behind Erik Haula and Kyle Rau. Fairly or not, much of this Gopher team's failure to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA tournament rests squarely on Bjugstad's shoulders. The preseason All-American did not come anywhere near those lofty expectations - likewise, this team, which was rated #1 or #2 all season long in the polls, did not live up to its potential. Bjugstad definitely leaves large skates to fill, but his tenure in the maroon and gold may be more a question of "what if" than anything else. Bjugstad will make his NHL debut this Saturday.
In other potential Gopher news, the Minnesota Wild (who own the rights to Erik Haula) have traded prospect Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett for winger Jason Pominville. The Wild have a stacked farm system, which led many to speculate that they may be looking to deal Haula. Instead, perhaps they dealt a prospect from the system to make room for Haula. More as the story develops.
Bjugstad, a third-team all-WCHA player this season, scored 21 goals and added 15 assists for a total of 36 points, tied for third on the team with Zach Budish and behind Erik Haula and Kyle Rau. Fairly or not, much of this Gopher team's failure to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA tournament rests squarely on Bjugstad's shoulders. The preseason All-American did not come anywhere near those lofty expectations - likewise, this team, which was rated #1 or #2 all season long in the polls, did not live up to its potential. Bjugstad definitely leaves large skates to fill, but his tenure in the maroon and gold may be more a question of "what if" than anything else. Bjugstad will make his NHL debut this Saturday.
In other potential Gopher news, the Minnesota Wild (who own the rights to Erik Haula) have traded prospect Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett for winger Jason Pominville. The Wild have a stacked farm system, which led many to speculate that they may be looking to deal Haula. Instead, perhaps they dealt a prospect from the system to make room for Haula. More as the story develops.
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