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March 28, 2010

Pitlick ponders leaving MSU

Freshman scored 11 goals for Mavericks

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — It might be one and done for Tyler Pitlick.

The Minnesota State freshman and potential first-round National Hockey League draft pick is exploring other options outside of college hockey after a promising rookie season, according to Mavericks coach Troy Jutting.

“I do know he’s looking,” Jutting said on Sunday, commenting on various online reports about Pitlick’s future that were posted over the weekend.

One college hockey blog cited an unnamed source who put the likelihood of Pitlick’s departure at 90 percent.

Jutting didn’t lay odds.

“I really can’t clear anything up,” Jutting said. “I don’t know anything for sure, but it wouldn’t shock me.”

Voice mail and text messages were left with Pitlick on Saturday but were not returned.

While Pitlick could sign a contract with whichever team drafts him in June, he could also play at the major-junior level in Canada before turning pro.

Major junior is a developmental level that is considered professional hockey by the NCAA.

According to one report, Pitlick’s rights are held by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, and he may be visiting that team in the near future to better weigh his options.

Pitlick scored 11 goals and assisted on eight others to finish eighth on the Mavericks in scoring this season. However, he would be the second-leading scorer among returning forwards next year.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound center from Centerville and Centennial High School turned 18 on Nov. 1 but didn’t play like a youngster, showing no fear against the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s older, stronger players by throwing body checks and compiling 27 penalty minutes. He also impressed home and away crowds alike with smooth skating and crafty puckhandling. His eight goals in WCHA play ranked second among league rookies.

The nephew of ex-NHL defenseman Lance Pitlick, Tyler Pitlick was ranked 21st on the NHL Central Scouting Service’s midseason list of draft-eligible non-goalies from North America, and pro scouts flocked to late-season games to watch him play.

While it may not come as a total shock that a player of Pitlick’s potential won’t be back next fall, it is somewhat surprising that such a decision would come nearly three months before the draft and with more than a month left in his second semester of college.

“I’ll try to tell him why I think he should stay,” Jutting said. “Obviously, I want him to be successful. As much as I think (leaving) would be the wrong decision, I hope everything works out in the future for him.”

A Pitlick departure would leave the Mavericks with just one returning double-digit goal scorer next season, Rylan Galiardi, who also had 11 goals. Eriah Hayes is next on the list with eight.

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