Q & A with Tyler Pitlick

One of the perks of my new gig in the Twin Cities in the access to a slew of talented high school players that will enter the WCHA over the next few years. One thing I hope to post more of this season is interviews and tidbits with these players as they progress through the high school ranks.

Today, I had a chance to speak with Centennial senior-to-be Tyler Pitlick, a Minnesota State recruit. We spoke about a number of things, including his upcoming season with the Cougars, his future with the Mavericks and the Ivan Hlinka Tournament which begins next weekend. Pitlick is one of 12 forwards and just six Minnesotans on the roster selected to be on the Under-18 U.S. team, which begins play Aug. 9 against Team Canada. The tournament will be played in Breclav Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia. Team USA is coached by RPI head coach Seth Appert.

Dan Myers: Heading into the Select 17's tournament a couple weeks ago, what were your goals? What did you want to accomplish up there?
Tyler Pitlick: I wanted to be among the top scorers.

DM: What do you know about the Hlinka tournament? And will it be your first tournament playing overseas?
TP: I don't know much about it. It won't be the first time overseas though. Last season, I played at a tournament, I don't remember the name of it, but it was in Slovakia.

DM: What was that experience like? Who do you expect some of the best teams over there next week?
TP: It was different. The play is a lot faster and you can't hold onto the puck as long. I've heard the Czechs are a pretty good team. In that tournament last year, Slovakia was the best team.

DM: What have you been up to this offseason, besides the Select 17 tournament and the Hlinka Tournament?
TP: Not much. Just doing STP (Summer Training Program).

DM: Do you still think about how last season ended (a section championship loss to Blaine) or are you already focusing on this season?
TP: We still think about it. We're hoping to get back there, especially this year, being a senior and all.

DM: What is it like having the Pitlick name, a very well-known one, especially here in Minnesota?
TP: Every time I walk into a hockey store and say my name, they know my uncle (former Gopher and NHL'er Lance) right away. Everyone around here knows him and who he is.

DM: What did Lance say when you decided to go to Minnesota State, a rival team from right inside the state?
TP: He actually went down to Mankato with me on one of my trips. He thought it was a good fit for me.

DM: Why Minnesota State?
TP: Troy Jutting was my Select 15 coach and I knew him from there. I went down for a visit and I really liked him a lot and I want to play for him. Mankato is close, but it's not too close and I think they're going to be very good for the next few years.

DM: Did you grow up a Gopher fan? And did you have a chance to watch the Gophers-Mavericks playoff series? Was it hard to pick which team to cheer for?
TP: Yeah, I did. I watched that playoff series, too. Everyone said the Gophers were the better team and they were going to win, but Mankato took them to overtime all three games. It wasn't hard to decide who to cheer for, I cheered for Mankato.

DM: What is the plan after this season? Are you heading straight to Mankato, playing a year in the USHL, or has that not been decided yet?
TP: I'll be heading straight to Mankato.

DM: Any idea on a potential major in college yet?
TP: I have absolutely no idea.

DM: What are the goals for this upcoming season?
TP: I want to get to the state tournament. I don't want to let Blaine beat us again. My sophomore year, we beat them twice, but last season, we won the first one and they won the last two.

DM: What are your strengths as a player?
TP: I like to play down low in the offensive zone and get the puck to my teammates. I can score when I have a chance.

Some offseason chatter...

Yes, I'm still here (to the chagrin of some, I spose). Yes, I'm still maintaining the blog. Unfortunately, during these summer months, the news has been slow. I have been diligent in posting early departures, as well as major coaching changes (although I think I missed the Mike Hastings hiring at Minnesota — forgive me, as I have moved onto my first 'career' related job.) I now work for a group of newspapers in the north Twin Cities metro. Some of you may read my stuff on a weekly basis. This job will also allow me to cover a niche of hockey I have always wanted to get into more, and that's high school hockey.

But there is a time and a place to talk about that later.

For now, I wanted to get into a little summer WCHA chatter. What do you think of the offseason so far? I have a new poll that I hope you will take part in. Make some comments as well — give me your thoughts on the offseason. What are you looking forward to with your team in the fall? What looks to be a struggle? Which players do you feel will step up? Which freshmen are you looking forward to watching?

No topic is off limits... but lets stir up some fun! Also, what features would you like to see on the blog this year? Is there something I'm missing the boat on? Feel free to chime in.

Bickel signs with Anaheim

According to sources in Minneapolis, in what is perhaps the most surprising early departure so far, Minnesota sophomore-to-be Stu Bickel has signed a professional contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Bickel's deal is reportedly worth the maximum, including an $85,000 signing bonus and a two-way contract that will pay him approximately $67,500. He is expected to play with the Ducks' AHL affiliate in Des Moines.

Bickel, a 21-year old defenseman from Chanhassen, is the third Gopher to leave school early this offseason, joining goaltender Jeff Frazee and forward Blake Wheeler. Bickel was not an offensive standout for Minnesota, but provided the Gophers with a big, physical defender to help in front of the net.

Bickel wraps up his one year stint with the Maroon and Gold with one goal and six assists (1-6--7) in 45 games, playing in every game last season

Chorney signs with Edmonton

North Dakota defenseman Taylor Chorney has signed an entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers — leaving the Fighting Sioux with one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.

Chorney, a second round pick of the Oilers in 2005, scored three goals and added 21 assists (3-21--24) for the Fighting Sioux in 2007-08 and will finish his three year career in Grand Forks with 14 goals and 59 assists (14-59--73) in 126 career games.

Chorney was named second-team All-American and second-team All-WCHA during a sophomore campaign in 2006-07 in which he scored eight goals and added 23 assists (8-23--31).

A 2005 graduate of Shattuck-St.Mary's High School, the Hastings, Minn. native is expected to compete immediately for a spot with the Oilers.

Oshie out at North Dakota

As expected (and as I reported weeks ago), T.J. Oshie has decided to forego his senior year at the University of North Dakota and sign a professional contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Oshie, a Warroad, Minn. native, scored 45 points last season (18-27—45) for the Fighting Sioux and was named one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. He scored 24 goals and added 21 assists during a breakout freshman season in 2005-06 before scoring 17 goals and adding 35 assists for a career high 52 points during his sophomore campaign.

Oshie is the ninth player in the WCHA to leave early this season but the first from UND. Eight teams have lost at least one player early while Minnesota has lost two. The Fighting Sioux have lost at least one player early to the pros each year since 2000.

Wheeler withdraws from U

Blake Wheeler has withdrawn from the University of Minnesota in order to pursue his professional career with the Phoenix Coyotes, according to the University of Minnesota's website.

Wheeler — the fifth overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft — leaves Minnesota after three seasons. He wraps up his career with the Maroon and Gold with 96 points.

Guentzel done at Minnesota

photo from gophersports.com

Apparently departures aren't only for the players.

University of Minnesota assistant coach Mike Guentzel — a veteran of 14 seasons — stepped down as Gophers assistant coach Friday, citing a desire to spend more time with family and pursue other coaching opportunities.

Guentzel coached the defensemen at Minnesota, tutoring five current NHL blueliners — including 2002 Hobey Baker Award winner Jordan Leopold.

He was the program's Associate Head Coach in Doug Woog's final years behind the bench, but was passed over in favor of Don Lucia upon his arrival in 1999. He leaves Minnesota with a pair of National Championships in 2002 and 2003.

Prior to coaching at Minnesota, Guentzel spent time as a head coach in the USHL, and before that, a three year career as a Gopher player from 1982-85.