Tag Archives: NCAA

Predators congratulate Vesey on winning Hobey Baker Award

Well, this is awkward.

The Nashville Predators offered congratulations to Harvard forward Jimmy Vesey after he was named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top men's hockey player Friday.

Last month, Vesey informed the Predators he wouldn't sign with them, and would instead explore free agency when eligible on Aug. 15.

Nashville made the 22-year-old winger a third-round pick in 2012, but he spurned them last April to return to Harvard for his senior season before rejecting them again last week.

After accepting the award Friday, Vesey said there's no favorite to sign him yet, and his father added that his role with the Toronto Maple Leafs won't determine his son's future.

Whether this was a last-ditch effort to get back in his good graces, or simply a sincere and heartfelt sentiment, it's a bad look.

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Devils sign Boston College’s Santini to 3-year deal

The New Jersey Devils signed defenseman Steven Santini to a three-year entry-level contract Friday.

The deal begins this season, and Santini will report to the Devils on Saturday.

The 21-year-old collected 19 points in 41 games in his junior season with the Eagles, who were eliminated from the Frozen Four tournament Thursday.

New Jersey selected him 42nd overall in 2013.

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Jimmy Vesey wins Hobey Baker Award

Jimmy Vesey has been named the winner of the 2016 Hobey Baker Award, beating out Michigan forward Kyle Connor and goaltender Thatcher Demko of Boston College.

The 22-year-old forward is the first ECAC player to win the national honor since 1989. He's a two-time ECAC Player of the Year.

The Hobey Baker Award is given out annually to the nation's top NCAA men's hockey player.

Vesey notched 24 goals and 22 assists in 33 games during his senior season at Harvard, boasting the seventh-best points-per-game mark in the country.

He was part of the Hobey Hat Trick - the final three nominees - for the second consecutive season, after losing out to Jack Eichel in 2015.

Last month, Vesey informed the Nashville Predators that he didn't plan to sign with them prior to the Aug. 15 deadline, opting to become an NHL free agent.

He returned to the Crimson for his senior campaign after turning down a deal with the Predators last spring.

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Report: Kings, Oilers among favorites for college free agent Alex Lyon

Goaltender Alex Lyon's future will be a lot clearer in 48 hours.

A free agent after three years at Yale University, Lyon had a stellar 2015-16 season, posting a .936 save percentage and 1.64 GAA in 31 games.

"Word is his decision's coming down in the next 48 hours," reported Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Saturday's "Headlines" segment. "Edmonton and L.A. (are) among the favorites, not apparently Calgary," Friedman added.

Lyon's 23 years old and is from Baudette, Minn. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds.

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Wisconsin names Tony Granato head coach

Tony Granato is going back to college.

The former NHL forward, coach, and assistant is the new head coach of the University of Wisconsin, the school confirmed Wednesday.

Granato played four seasons with the Badgers from 1983 to 1987, becoming one of only two players in the history of the program to register 100 goals and 100 assists in his career.

"I don't think my heart ever left Madison (Wis.) or the Badger program," Granato said Wednesday.

"It was always there with me that someday it would be great to go back. Someday it would be an opportunity - if it ever came along - where you always think in your mind, 'Wow, wouldn't that be special and a great place to go back to?'"

Granato has served behind three NHL benches since retiring as a player in 2001, including a pair of head coaching stints with the Colorado Avalanche.

He was an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings for the last two seasons and occupied the same role with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2009 to 2014.

Granato's brother, Don, and former Wisconsin assistant Mark Osiecki - who most recently served as an assistant with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs - will join Tony's staff.

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