Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896
1. He's already drafted (as you know)
Knew that, thanks...just wandering around on my usual hockey trivia diatribe.
2. St. Louis has done fine with their college players, I'd say.
This
blog writer for the Blues would disagree with you:
Thomas Vannelli, who was the Blues' top pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, was supposed to play at Minnesota this season. Aaaaaaaaand he's gone. He'll be a Medicine Hat Tiger instead. Considering the Blues' past history with ex-Gophers, this may not be a bad thing.
It's highly probable TV contacted the Blues organization and they contributed to his decision to move on as well.
3. It really sounds like he actually may be dumb as a tree stump.
IMO TV is a lot smarter than some people are characterizing him to be. Even though I personally disagree with his decision to leave the Gophers, as a legacy player needing a way of escape before the season started, this appears to be a very clever deflection with minimal damage control in pursuit of what he's been told is the best developmental path to making his NHL dream a reality.
In terms of the NEW NCAA D1 academic eligibility requirements, TV would have had to fulfill the following to be accepted at the University of Minnesota:
16 core courses in the following areas:
1) 4 years English
2) 3 years math at Algebra I level or higher
3) 2 years natural or physical science (one lab if offered at any high school attended)
4) 1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science
5) 2 years social science
6) 4 years additional from areas above or foreign language, philosophy or comparative religion
Must complete 10 core courses before seventh semester of high school (e.g., senior year). Of the 10 core courses completed, seven must be in the area of English, math, or science.
Minimum required GPA:
Minimum GPA of 2.300 in those 16 core courses.
Minimum sum ACT or SAT
Score must match the 16 core-course GPA (Example: 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT requires core-course GPA of 2.950.).
Now c'mon, does this sound like a kid that's "as dumb as a tree stump" and absolutely can't handle introductory freshman electives after only two weeks into this fall semester?
He most likely hadn't even submitted his first assignment yet!
Based upon what he has already academically accomplished just to be accepted as a student athlete at the University of Minnesota (regardless of whether he has a chosen major or not) and according to the NCAA academic eligibility requirements which are based upon measured standards of projected academic success, he's already statistically demonstrated a sense of self discipline and at least an average general intelligence according to these standards to handle basic freshman core electives and more.
Granted, he may be a bit "overwhelmed" like many university students straight out of HS, but typically students don't quit after two weeks into the semester unless there's something else going on. Did he give academia his best shot? Absolutely not.
I would also add that I am very familiar with the
McNamara Academic Center for Student Athletes at the U. The goal of the professional academic staff at MAC is to guide student athletes step-by-step to graduation. I contend without hesitation the job they do there is top-notch and second to none. The academic scaffolding and resources they offer are so extensive that if a student athlete is committed to work with their academic advisors in the program, there's a very high probability that student athlete graduates (i.e.
Sam Warning/Student Athlete of the month). The MAC has been directly responsible to contributing to the University of Minnesota reaching their
highest ever graduation rate of 83% among student athletes.
There's no doubt in my mind, that if TV
WANTED to work through his academic struggles with the MAC like many other student athletes at the U, he could graduate from the University of Minnesota or at the very least eek out 2-3 years of study until he makes the jump to the next level. I'm sure Don Lucia, who is committed to seeing every student athlete under his watch graduate, would also do everything in his power to encourage and support TV's academic success as well.
TV at one time wanted to attend the University of Minnesota. But being a top NHL draft choice can cause attitudes and career goals to suddenly change. IMO he got his eyes on the prize and wants to take the preferred CHL route with plenty of ice time exposure to get there asap.
If and when he signs with MH, he better start an extensive weight lifting program immediately. The WHL is notoriously the most violent and has the most fighting of any of the three CHL leagues (2012 WHL season averaged 2 fights/game). I suspect he might get his *** kicked more than a couple times.
