April 2, 2008
Minnesota-Duluth Loses Davidson, Garrison
CHN Staff Report
Minnesota-Duluth junior defenseman Jason Garrison signed a two-year free-agent NHL contract with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, just one day after assistant coach Lee Davidson announced that he is leaving the Bulldogs to spend more time with his family.
According to the Duluth News Tribune, the Panthers were one of many teams to make an inquiry over the past few weeks regarding Garrison's services.
The West Vancouver, B.C., native missed 10 games this season with a broken leg but finished with five goals and nine assists in 26 games. Garrison also missed 18 games during the 2006-07 season because of a hernia surgery.
"I was interested in going with a team that hasn't peaked and is still building," said Garrison. "Florida said it's in the process of building a young team, and I wanted to be part of that.
"I was taught a lot in my three years at UMD, which tripled my improvement, especially on the defensive part of the game, and especially in being more physical. I wish I could've stayed all four years, but I've got an opportunity knocking at the front door."
Added Minnesota-Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin, "It's always tough to lose good players, but you're happy for those guys because this is what they work for. Instead of feeling bad for yourself, you understand that you've helped develop some players who now have a chance to give it a go in the NHL. We're happy for Jason because he's a great person and has been good for our program. Getting a chance like this couldn"t happen to a better player."
Davidson, meanwhile, has been an assistant coach with the Bulldogs for six years and made the surprising announcement that he was leaving at a year-end team meeting.
"It's tough to raise a family with two young children, and make a time commitment of travel, and watching games and recruiting," said Davidson, who has a six-year old son and four-year old daughter with wife Robin. "It's very difficult to do that and have a family life.
"The most enjoyable thing in coaching has been to see players come here and develop in hockey and in school. I've enjoyed it thoroughly."
Gary is an awesome player and has a great future, sorry to see him go.
Apr 3 2008, 9:32 am by mike duluth
