A couple of days ago, we brought up the fact that the Tampa Bay Lightning had a decision to make on a couple of their prospects. The draft rights to Kaden Pitre and Jan Golicic are set to expire on June 1st. If they aren’t signed to an entry-level deal by then, they are considered unrestricted free agents. Unless! Unless they decide to head to college. Under a new agreement, prospects who have played in Canadian junior hockey are eligible to play for U.S. collegiate programs. The benefit for teams is that it extends their draft rights to said player.
Such appears to be the case with Jan Golicic. The big defenseman announced that he will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall.
According to PuckPedia, the fact that Golicic declared his intent prior to the June 1 deadline means that the Lightning will maintain their draft rights through August 15 of his fourth year of NCAA eligibility. He isn’t the first Lighting prospect to have his rights extended by entering college. Last summer it was Ethan Hay who went from Saginaw to Miami (Ohio) University. We’re 90% sure that the Bolts still have his rights. Even PuckPedia has a disclaimer that the rules that determine sign-by dates for players that transfer from the CHL to college hockey haven’t been fully ironed out.
Golicic, who will turn 20 at the end of June, will be able to continue to develop his skills at a high-end institution (and be eligible for NIL money) and the Lightning can continue to help guide his development. The 6’5″, 201 lb. blueliner had a breakout season with 5 goals and 39 assists with Gatineau and Blainville-Boisbriand before adding another 8 points in the playoffs for the Armada.
Hockey News
Canucks name Ryan Johnson new GM, promote Sedins [Canucks Army]
It’s good to have a general manager prior to a draft and the Canucks have decided that Ryan Johnson, who was the director of player development and general manager of the AHL Utica Comets. The Sedin Twins are now the co-presidents of hockey operations.
Oilers fire Kris Knoblach [Edmonton Journal]
It wasn’t the smoothest coaching dismissal in the history of the NHL, but the Oilers finally made it official as they dismissed head coach Kris Knoblach (before his three-year extension kicked in. Yes he still gets paid). Other than the fact that they won’t be hiring Bruce Cassidy, the future of the head coaching position has yet to be determined.
Canadiens 6, Sabres 3 [Montreal leads 3-2]
Golden Knights 5, Ducks 1 [Vegas wins 4-2]
