The Avalanche rookie camp begins in Centennial today, while the University of Denver captain’s practice continues at Magness Arena.
Forward Paul Stastny can’t be at both venues, a fact that pleases the local NHL franchise and perturbs the local college team. Stastny, who would have been an assistant captain and preseason All-American for the Pioneers, is one of 24 collegiate standouts who left school early to sign NHL deals since March. Stastny, 20, gave up his final two years at DU on July 24 to join the Avs, who selected him 44th overall in the 2005 NHL draft.
Coupled with the previous departure by would-be DU senior captain Matt Carle, now roaming the San Jose Sharks’ blue line, the Pioneers are one of a handful of prestigious programs adjusting to the new NHL landscape.
The unusual exodus appears to stem from the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement, which dropped the minimum free agency age from 31 to 27, which appears to have pushed some teams to sign players earlier than they would have under the former agreement out of fear of losing them sooner.
The Denver-based Western Collegiate Hockey Association has been hit the hardest.
Among the 24 NCAA players to sign NHL contracts with eligibility remaining, 15 played in the WCHA. Minnesota and North Dakota each lost four, and Minnesota State and national champion Wisconsin matched DU with two apiece.
Colorado College lost Brian Salcido, who became the third Tigers defenseman in a year to skip his senior season to join the NHL.
“Could you imagine how great these games would be if all these guys stick around for four years?” said DU coach George Gwozdecky, who still has a program-record 11 NHL draft picks on this season’s roster.
Like CC coach Scott Owens, Gwozdecky has lost three players early to NHL deals within the past year. Defenseman and would-be DU captain Brett Skinner, a 2005 All-American, gave up his senior year in August 2005, about a month after the new CBA was forged.
“In the old CBA, I think Paul Stastny would still be with us. Same with Skinner (and) Carle,” Gwozdecky said. “There is a real urgency that I have seen amongst NHL teams to bring in those college draftees earlier than they would have prior to the new CBA.”
The Avalanche, however, says its signing of Stastny had nothing to do with the new CBA.
“Our philosophy, even with the new CBA, hasn’t changed a bit,” said club spokesman Jean Martineau, speaking on behalf of general manager Francois Giguere. “We’ve never rushed a player out of college. It’s their decision.”
Martineau said the Avs own the rights to 15 college players, including DU senior wing J.D. Corbin of Littleton.
Stastny said he never felt pressure to sign with the Avs, the franchise his father starred for, but felt he needed “to take the next step.”
Despite the unexpected recent defections, Gwozdecky said he is not changing how his staff recruits. He said the program would continue to focus on high-character players who want to get a degree.
“If you look at our program, for every so-called superstar, there are those other players that are late-bloomers, so to speak, guys like Luke Fulghum, Matt Laatsch, Kevin Ulanski,” Gwozdecky said. “We’re not always looking for superstars. We’re looking for the right guys who fit in best with our culture.”
And losing top players to the NHL could aid recruiting, he said.
“Young players that see DU players moving on to their NHL careers, that’s very attractive for a top prospect. So in essence, that helps us,” Gwozdecky said.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
