August 3, 2009

Looking at the 2009-10 NCAA Classes

The following article appeared August 3 on The Hockey News Web site.

 

By Ryan Kennedy

When the games aren’t being played on the ice, speculation becomes the favored pastime. With that in mind, I’m starting to get excited about the 2009-10 NCAA season. Yes, part of the fun is the number of big names who will be suiting up for college squads this season, but also because some different schools have a chance to make a splash.

Unfortunately for Colorado College, potential star defenseman and Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder John Moore signed a pro contract with the NHL squad, meaning he’ll be playing for the Ontario League’s Kitchener Rangers instead. But barring any other changes of heart, here are some freshman classes – from both traditional and non-traditional powers – that have me intrigued this season.

Harvard (ECAC): How about a hurrah for the smart kids? It's hard enough to convince non-Americans to skip major junior, but the Crimson managed to woo two solid NHL draft picks to Boston even though their schoolwork will be, well, intimidating. Canadian Louis Leblanc (18th, Montreal) and Swede Alexander Fallstrom (116th, Minnesota) immediately give Harvard name recognition and scoring punch, which the Crimson lacked last season. Harvard had just one top-20 scorer in the conference - and that was 21-year-old junior Doug Rogers, who finished 19th. Former NTDP hands David Valek and Brendan Rempel are also intriguing prospects.

Complete article can be accessed via the Hockey News Web site by clicking here.