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08/16/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With the decision to forego college, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jerry D'Amigo and Montreal Canadiens first rounder Jarred Tinordi have joined a growing list of NHL draft picks to put down the books in favor of opportunism.
Although there is still immense talent throughout the college system, the repercussions of losing some of the brightest up-and-coming stars could have damaging long-term effects on hockey programs across the United States.
D'Amigo, a sixth-round pick in 2009, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Leafs on Wednesday in the hopes of cracking the big squad out of training camp this fall.
As a result of D'Amigo's aspirations, he lost his NCAA eligibility and cannot return to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he posted 10 goals and 24 assists in 35 games en route to being named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) rookie of the year.
If the 19-year old fails to impress in camp, his options include taking a trip down the road to suit up for the Toronto Marlies, or opt for the OHL and join the Kitchener Rangers, the owner of his junior rights.
While it is unlikely D'Amigo abandoned his fellow Engineers at RPI to play in the OHL, riding the bus in the American Hockey League is a different story, especially with the parent club in the same city.
Regardless of where the speedy winger starts the season, NHL action seems to be in the cards at some point this year, a mind-boggling revelation considering his development and expectations only a year ago.
Unlike D'Amigo who gave it the old college try (for one year, anyway), Tinordi changed course only a few weeks before he was slated to head off to study and play at the University of Notre Dame.
Instead, the hulking 6'6" defenseman will pack his bags and join Dale Hunter and the London Knights in the OHL.
Tinordi, the 22nd overall in this year's entry draft, is a bruising stay-at- home defenseman with a booming shot and good mobility. He also displayed his leadership qualities this past season as the captain of the U.S. National Development team.
Studying the game in the ultra-competitive OHL while honing his skills under the reigning coach of the year will do wonders for his progress, and was likely a major reason for the move.
Unfortunately for the NCAA, the current economic climate in the NHL, combined with the advanced development regiments of the OHL and the U.S. national team has allowed for a quicker transition to professional hockey.
In the salary cap world, players on entry-level deals become invaluable and opportunities arise sooner than they have in previous years. Thus, committing to four years of college has become a less attractive option for many.
Besides Tinordi, fellow draftees Cam Fowler and Jack Campbell also revoked their commitments to Notre Dame and Michigan, respectively, and fled to Windsor to join the Spitfires.
Dropping out of college and passing up thousands of dollars worth of scholarship money does not usually equate to success in the real world. But in the NHL, when ample opportunities call for younger, cheaper players, the math speaks for itself.
<< Pirates return home to face Marlins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Following a dreadful road trip, the Pittsburgh Pirates
make a welcome return to PNC Park tonight for a 10-game homestand that begins
with the first of four straight meetings with the Florida Marlins.
Pittsburgh lost every
<< Dodgers, Braves open series at Turner Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The absence of a couple of key regulars didn't affect the
Atlanta Braves' offense in their last outing. The National League East front-
runners will attempt to build off Sunday's scoring barrage when they complete
a four-game
<< Mets carry their road woes into Houston
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The road hasn't been good to the New York Mets this
season, and especially so after the All-Star break. They'll try to reverse
those recent struggles when they head to Minute Maid Park tonight to begin a
four-game series with
<< Jays begin series in Oakland
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shaun Marcum hopes to put the brakes on a personal two-
start losing streak this evening when the Toronto Blue Jays begin a three-game
series against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum.
Marcum had closed the month o
Johnson's PGA snafu was avoidable >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - What happened to Dustin Johnson on Sunday
at the PGA Championship was cruel, vicious, heartbreaking and borderline
tragic.
"Joke."
"Terrible for golf."
Tim Rosaforte of the Golf Channel reported some
Panthers bring WR Smith off PUP list >>
Spartanburg, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Panthers activated wide
receiver Steve Smith off the physically unable to perform list Monday.
The moved frees Smith, who suffered a broken left arm in June while playing
flag footba
Boston batters Sky Blue FC >>
Cambridge, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Breakers continued their
impressive run on Sunday with a resounding 4-0 win over Sky Blue FC at Harvard
Stadium.
The Breakers got goals from four different players as they recorded t
Magic sign Stanley Robinson >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Orlando Magic have signed forward Stanley
Robinson, the team's second-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Terms of the
deal were not disclosed.
Robinson, who was taken 59th overall, played on Orlando'
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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