Wednesday Morning Post

• The big news that broke yesterday was Ryan Gropp foregoing his commitment to UND in order to sign with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds. It sounds as though this was a decision made primarily by Gropp without much pressure from Seattle, and perhaps initially against the wishes of his parents. While the decommitment of a very talented player certainly stings, this isn't nearly as crucial as JT Miller's decision to sign with New York and go to Plymouth a month before he was expected to start classes at UND. When I put together this recruit matrix last month, I anticipated Gropp's arrival in Grand Forks to come in the fall of 2015. I'm not sure when the North Dakota staff planned on him arriving, but there is time to replace him with some of the outstanding talent that is currently uncommitted. 
• International Scouting Services released its updated top 30 prospects for the 2014 NHL Draft and two UND recruits made the list. Nick Schmaltz is ranked number 25 while Austin Poganski is ranked number 30.
• Despite a nagging lower body injury that was anticipated to keep him out of the lineup long-term, recruit Trevor Olson saw his health improve enough that he was upgraded to questionable to return to action. Sioux City's captain eventually did return to the lineup, recording an assist and a +1 rating in his first action of the season last Friday.
• While TJ Oshie's rugged & physical style of play might make him more susceptible to injury, he doesn't plan on changing anything about his game any time soon.
• David Toews has been released by the ECHL's Reading Royals.
• Rocco Grimaldi's slick second period goal from Friday night's 5-3 victory over Vermont is among the top 5 plays of the week. 

Wednesday Morning Post

• Midco Sports Net produced a nice segment honoring the original Ralph Engelstad Arena. It aired last night during the debut of North Dakota Hockey with Dave Hakstol:

•  Here's another segment from last night's episode featuring Sioux alum Evan Trupp:

• The Winnipeg Free Press says that while Sidney Crosby will likely wear the C for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Jonathan Toews is the team's real leader. Meanwhile, The Calgary Sun says Toews has quickly developed a reputation for winning. My feeling is that Toews probably has a better chance to be named captain than most media outlets are signaling, and Zach Parise is definitely on the shortlist of candidates to be the next Captain America. Don't be surprised if either, or both, don the C in Russia come February.
• The Hockey News' most recent Prospect Need To Know feature says maturation was a key step in Danny Kristo turning pro.
• Big things are expected out of UND recruit Ryan Gropp as he assumes more of the spotlight for the BCHL's Penticton Vees.
• Over the Boards has North Dakota's incoming freshman class ranked as the third best in the nation for 2013-14 and number one for 2014-15.



Recruit Profile: Ryan Gropp (Decommitted)

Photo-BCHL.com

Current Team:   Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Potential Arrival at UND:  2014
Position:  Forward
Birthday:  September 16th, 1996
Hometown:  Kamloops, BC, Canada
Height:  6'3"
Weight: 190
Shoots:  Left


Committment Update: Decommitted from UND in October of 2013 in order to sign with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL).

Profiles & Press Clippings:

• BCHL 2013-14 Profile/Stat Page
• Elite Prospects Profile/Stat Page
• Brad Schlossman Blog: Commitment Post (July 2013)
• Taking Note: Gropp Picks North Dakota (July 2013)
• GF Herald: Canadian Standout Commits to UND (July 2013-Expiring Link)
• Penticton Western News: Vees, Gropp Want Him To Be Among BCHL's Best (Aug 2013)
• Vees Central: Gropp Excited About World Championship (Dec 2012)
• Taking Note: Gropp, Hicketts Near Fork in Hockey's Road (July 2012)

2013-14:

• He will play for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.
• He was one of 42 players invited to Hockey Canada's Ivan Hlinka Tournament Under-18 Selection Camp.

2012-13:

• He recorded 31 points (12G, 19A) in 50 regular season games with the BCHL's Penticton Vees. He also chipped in with nine points (4G, 5A) in 15 postseason games.
• He was named the BCHL Interior Conference Rookie of the Year.
• He was a finalist for the CJHL's national Rookie of the Year Award.
• He represented Canada's Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Challenge, recording three points (2G, 1A) in five tournament games.

2011-12:

• He played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy Under-18 AAA team, producing 51 points (21G, 30A) in 41 games. He also appeared in two games with the BCHL's Penticton Vees, scoring one goal.
• He represented Team Canada at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, notching nine points (6G, 3A) in six tournament games. His six goals led the tournament while helping Canada earn the bronze medal as the team's second leading point producer.
• He was a member of Team BC at the Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup in Moose Jaw, SK, where he scored two goals in four games.
• He was one of 42 players selected to attend the National Hockey League Player's Association Mentorship Camp.

2010-11:

• Played for the Kamloops Jardine's Blazers Bantam Tier 1 team, scoring 128 points (62G, 66A) in 58 regular season games. In the postseason, he added 14 points (7G, 7A) in nine games.