Michigan Hockey Early Departures: PDG and Guptill
Per Michael Spath on twitter, Michigan forward Phil DiGiuseppe has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes which voids his last year of eligibility with the team.
And so begins another summer of Michigan Hockey and seeing who will still be here once the new season begins. Losing him is not crippling, but also not ideal. Hopefully everyone else stays because the depth still eligible and the incoming recruiting class has the ability to make some noise next year.
EDIT: per Mark Edwards on twitter, Alex Guptill has also signed an entry level deal with the Dallas Stars
March 26th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
March 26th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
Damn.
Guptill is gone too, no doubt.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
Not necessarily. I talked with Guptill's mom at the PSU series in State College. She said he is planning on returning and that he likes the college life (read into that as you want...aka the AJ Treais symptom).
March 26th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
Apparently he just signed.
I guess Mom was wrong. It happens. Parents have only so much influence on a kid. Happy trails and good luck to both Alex and Phil. Great kids with great potential.
It happens. No big deal.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
Samething I tell my students when they mouth off, Was that really necessary?
March 26th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
But what did Coach Wiseman say?
March 26th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^
Everyone should value your hockey opinion above all else
that was mature.
Anyone who just mouthed off to me was negged by me. Yes, I am violating rules 1 and 2 of mgopoints.
I am sick of the immaturity on this board.
Don't hold your position in the Dekers Club over everyone like it makes you better than the rest of us. That'll probably solve most of the problems for you.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
It is too bad that we couldn't make the playoffs the last two years, but it is hard to blame them. The defensive cupboard is rather bare, and, while the young goalie was better than expected, things don't look that much better in the rearguard next year.
There will always be new players to root for, and I have faith that Red and company will find some good players to fill in.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
Will miss PDG... was always one of my favorite to watch. great speed and was finding the back of the net again recently. Probably as good of a time as any for him to leave so i wish him good luck with his playing career and any such opportunity after his playing days are done
March 26th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
Guptill gone.
Another #Wolverine signed, Alex Guptill with @DallasStars - remember watching him shine with the Brampton Capitals. #OJHL #DallasStars
March 26th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
March 26th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Two guys who looked so promising after their freshman years and then proceeed to barely improve at all over the following two
March 26th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
As much as those guys have contributed to the team, I think this might lead to some addition by subtraction. Boo will finally get some first line minutes. Compher, Motte, Allen and Kile all showed a lot this season as freshmen. Copp, Hyman and most of the D returning and a huge freshman class coming in. Solid in the backend with Racine and Nagel. I like this team a lot next year.
March 26th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
Boo could have had first line minutes as a freshman given his hype. I bet that Red expected Boo to be centering the first line to start his sophomore year in 2013-14.
What did Allen and Kile show scoring five points each on a team looking for offense? Wasn't Allen a healthy scratch for 10+ games as an NTDP player who couldn't always crack the fourth line. Kile, played an extra year of junior, and more was expected as a freshman on the scoresheet.
March 26th, 2014 at 10:27 PM ^
We need consistency, especially with our line combos and chemistry. And a different coach...
March 26th, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^
I tend to agree with this assessment. I appreciate that those guys played for the Maize and Blue and wish them the best of luck, but their games weren't progressing like we needed them to. It seems like we've had a lot of players come in recently and play well as freshmen and then struggle and never make the leap that we've expected them to make. Honestly, that's what's held them back the last couple of years from the tournament. Two years, a game apiece out from making it.
It definitely frees up some space for the younger guys. I'd anticipate that this makes Copp a near lock to be captain. If Larkin is to play center, I'd guess that he'd get the second line role, or they could have him play LW with Compher who I would assume continues as our topline center. Copp's status as second or third line center would probably be contingent on that. I like the way that shapes up down the middle. Red will have options. Hopefully, it will be a team that plays to its talent.
anyone know their AHL affiliates?
Charlotte Checkers and Texas Stars.
Guptill is the only Wolverine in the Texas organization.
Aaron Palushaj and Mike Komisarek are with the Carolina.
Luke Moffatt signed with Lake Erie with Matt Hunwick. Lee Moffie is on their ECHL team.