Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015
My take on Pesce is that he used his three years at UNH to develop not only his game but to improve his physicality. Remember, he came in as a scrawny 17 year old. You could tell right away that he had good instincts but through a combination of things it really wasn't until this year that he looked the part of a top two college defenseman. I suppose he could have opted to stay his senior year but my guess is he thinks it's time to go all in as a professional hockey player, learn his craft and establish himself as a big leaguer. More training, more ice time in the pros is probably the smart choice. And getting paid isn't bad either.
Regarding Pesce, there is a school of thought that anyone turning pro in hockey, basketball, etc. can maximize their career salary by coming out early even if it means a lower initial contract. Each year earlier they turn pro brings them that much closer to their bigger free agent contract down the road and an additional year of earning pro money at the end of their career.
Obviously there is the risk of stunting development (which could also happen by staying in school another year) or getting stuck in the wrong pro organization.
My take on Pesce is that he used his three years at UNH to develop not only his game but to improve his physicality. Remember, he came in as a scrawny 17 year old. You could tell right away that he had good instincts but through a combination of things it really wasn't until this year that he looked the part of a top two college defenseman. I suppose he could have opted to stay his senior year but my guess is he thinks it's time to go all in as a professional hockey player, learn his craft and establish himself as a big leaguer. More training, more ice time in the pros is probably the smart choice. And getting paid isn't bad either.