Gopher Hockey - Ryan Stoa Signs with Av's

by FishingMN on Mar 27, 2009 11:24 AM CDT

It was announced this morning that Minnesota Gopher junior forward, Ryan Stoa, has signed a 2 year contract with the Colorado Avalanche and will forego his senior season at Minnesota.

The contract will pay him $850k per season if he makes the team and $65k per season if he's in the minors.

For the 2008-09 season, Stoa led the team in both goals (24) and points (46).

It was widely expected that Stoa would not return for his senior season since he had missed a season as a medical redshirt and most knowledgeable fans realize he is ready to take the next step beyond college hockey.

Good luck Ryan - hope to see you play in Colorado yet this season!

Stoa Signs with Colorado

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Fishing?

anyone else expected to leave?

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Mar 27, 2009 5:09 PM CDT reply actions

Well

The huge potential loss on this team would be Jordan Schroeder. He was the 2nd leading scorer on the team behind Stoa and was just named National Rookie of the Year.

Schroeder actually accelerated his schooling to play for the Gophers last year so he hasn’t even been drafted yet. That will happen this summer. A lot depends on who drafts him, how hight in the draft he goes and how badly that team wants him to sign right away.

Since he’s only 18 the hope is that he could use at least 1 more year of college hockey to get stronger. I think most people hope we get him next year but he definitely has the skills to leave early. If he returns he will certainly be our best player.

Here’s a good article about his season and recent award –

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by FishingMN on Mar 28, 2009 5:58 AM CDT reply actions

There have been more than a few rumblings....

…that the NHL is in serious financial danger. Bill Simmons wrote a few weeks back that a senior NBA exec heard that half of the NHL may have to be contracted in order for the league to survive this financial crisis.

If that’s the case, it will work to Minnesota’s favor in future years by restricting the NHL opportunities. However, it may work the other way this year – to force Schroeder pro to try and get a contract before the league contracts 300 hockey player positions.

by JG2112 on Mar 28, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions