April 15, 2008
Hobey Winner Porter Signs with Coyotes
Teammate Kolarik Also Signs with Phoenix
CHN Staff Report
Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the club has signed Michigan senior Kevin Porter, who on Friday won the 2008 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.
A day earlier, Porter's teammate and fellow senior Chad Kolarik also signed with the Coyotes.
Porter was selected by the Coyotes in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft, while Kolarik was drafted in the seventh round the same year. Both signed an entry level contract, and as per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Porter finished the 2007-08 season second in the nation in scoring, with 33 goals and 30 assists in 43 games, leading the Wolverines to its first Frozen Four since 2003. One of only two seniors on the Michigan roster, Porter became just the second Wolverine to win the Hobey Baker Award. The senior captain finished his career in Ann Arbor with 183 points in 162 games.
Moments after being awarded the Hobey in Denver's Pepsi Center last Friday, a congratulatory letter from Coyotes coach and NHL all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky was read aloud to Porter, who for now will join the Coyotes' American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, as they begin their first round Calder Cup Playoff series against the Toronto Marlies.
Kolarik, who had 30 goals and 26 assists as a senior this season, will also join the Rampage. He finished the year ranked third in the nation in points and fourth in goals.
Looks like the gophers are getting Wheeler back.
Apr 16 2008, 6:03 am by hockey fan nd
Is that even a good thing for the Gophers?
Apr 16 2008, 4:22 pm by JM, Minny
It would be great news for the Gophers and bad news for Gopher opponents if Blake Wheeler comes back for his senior year at Minnesota. Porter and Kolarik both played their senior years. It sounds as though Finley and Duncan are coming back for their senior years. As a fan of college hockey that would be a good thing if more players stayed all four years. Good for the guys that want to get a degree and stay loyal to their schools.
Apr 17 2008, 11:16 am by Eddie Maple Grove
agreed
Apr 23 2008, 4:30 pm by
