Roe makes his mark on hockey history books in Minnesota
During his four-year career at SCSU, Garrett Roe is the all-time assist leader in program history (113), all-time leader in shots per game and shots on goal. The scrappy 5-foot-8, 180-pound center also had his name in the mix for SCSU’s all-time scoring leader. Following the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s tournament, held Friday through Sunday, Roe finished his college hockey career with 178 points, putting him at third on the team’s scoring ranks. […] His journey took him to Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minn., home of one of the sport’s elite programs which is known for pumping out NHL talent. […] “It’s known as a hockey factory to people who know the game,” Roe said. He followed his time at Shattuck-St. Mary’s with a stint in the United States Hockey League with the Indiana Ice, where he scored 51 goals and 89 assists during his three-year run with the team. During his junior career, Roe developed into a playmaking center with a grinder’s nose; the sort of player who didn’t mind mucking it up in the dirty areas to create goals […] After his junior career ended, Roe entered the college hockey world with a standout freshman season at SCSU. In 39 games, he scored 18 goals, 27 assists and tallied four game-winning goals for the Huskies. He improved upon his first campaign with 48 points in 2008-09 (17 goals, 31 assists) and a career-high 49 points in his junior year (20 goals, 29 assists). Roe played in 38 games this season, scoring 10 goals and 26 assists for 36 points. “He’s a fiery, competitive, tenacious kid,” SCSU head coach Bob Motzko said. “He brings a lot of energy to the building on game nights. He’s an agitator, he can get under the other team’s skin, and then he delivers with his offense. When he’s playing on the edge, he’s a special player.” With his college hockey career over, Roe’s attention will now turn toward summer development camps with the Los Angeles Kings and making a run at playing in the NHL.
The CBA gives the Kings until
8/15 (of the player’s graduation year) to sign college players. Roe and Podge Turnbull are this year’s prospect/graduates. Three juniors players — Linden Vey, Nicolas Deslauriers, Jean-Francois Berube — and one ECHL player (Michael Pelech) need to be signed by 7/1. Roe, Vey and Deslauriers will certainly be signed; Berube has had a great year in the QMJHL and I assume he’ll be signed, too — though where they would put another goalie, I have no idea. Turnbull and Pelech, I have no clue. Turnbull, by the numbers, appears to have had a better year this year. For what that’s worth.
Also, my memory might be faulty, but hasn’t Lombardi signed at least one NCAA player as a UFA every Spring since he’s been GM? Matt Moulson in 2006; Teddy Purcell and Kevin Westgarth in 2007; Davis Drewiske in 2008; Corey Elkins and Patrick Mullen in 2009; Ray Kaunisto in 2010. Not to mention non-college UFA signings Brandon Segal and Martin Jones.
So, I guess my point is, I expect some signings in our future.