Tipped Off
02-17-2005, 07:04 PM
from the PG Free Press:
The Western hockey League took another blow after a second first- round draft pick from 2003 decided to take the NCAA route. This time the Prince George Cougars will feel the effect, as sixth overall draft pick Tyler Swystun has verbally agreed to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for the 2005-06 season.
Tri-City Americans first overall pick Jonathan Toews had previously committed to the University of North Dakota in Grande Forks.
Swystun, who turned 17 lost month didn't attend the Cougars training camp this past season because he had wanted to complete his Grade 12 before making any decisions about his future.
"I was on the fence since the start of the season. I know coming down to Camrose we'd heard stuff about me possibly going NCAA. I know I wanted to finish my grade 12 here in Alberta and get it down somewhere near home. I came down here and got some interest from some NCAA schools. I decided to fly down to Michigan and decided to go there," said Swystun. This season as a rookie with the Camrose Kodiaks Swystun has 12 goals 16 assists in 42 games.
Swystun visited the campus in December and had a chance to watch the Wolverines play a Friday night game and saw the Battle of Michigan on Saturday with the Wolverines football team taking on Michigan State University in front of 107,000 fans.
"It was just before Christmas break. The fans are really supportive of their hockey and football teams," said Swystun.
"I think the WHL has developed a lot of good players. I'm not saying if you go there your not going to develop. Just for me, what fitted me the best was just going the college route. I thought long and hard about coming to Prince George and I went down to the University of Michigan and it felt like they really wanted me. I knew it would be a good home for me."
The Western hockey League took another blow after a second first- round draft pick from 2003 decided to take the NCAA route. This time the Prince George Cougars will feel the effect, as sixth overall draft pick Tyler Swystun has verbally agreed to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for the 2005-06 season.
Tri-City Americans first overall pick Jonathan Toews had previously committed to the University of North Dakota in Grande Forks.
Swystun, who turned 17 lost month didn't attend the Cougars training camp this past season because he had wanted to complete his Grade 12 before making any decisions about his future.
"I was on the fence since the start of the season. I know coming down to Camrose we'd heard stuff about me possibly going NCAA. I know I wanted to finish my grade 12 here in Alberta and get it down somewhere near home. I came down here and got some interest from some NCAA schools. I decided to fly down to Michigan and decided to go there," said Swystun. This season as a rookie with the Camrose Kodiaks Swystun has 12 goals 16 assists in 42 games.
Swystun visited the campus in December and had a chance to watch the Wolverines play a Friday night game and saw the Battle of Michigan on Saturday with the Wolverines football team taking on Michigan State University in front of 107,000 fans.
"It was just before Christmas break. The fans are really supportive of their hockey and football teams," said Swystun.
"I think the WHL has developed a lot of good players. I'm not saying if you go there your not going to develop. Just for me, what fitted me the best was just going the college route. I thought long and hard about coming to Prince George and I went down to the University of Michigan and it felt like they really wanted me. I knew it would be a good home for me."