Jordan Schroeder's Father Shoots Down Canucks/WHL Rumor

A rather odd story was making the rounds in western Canada Thursday. The rumor involved Vancouver Canucks first-round pick, Jordan Schroeder. He's a forward with the University of Minnesota, and was one of the top freshmen in college hockey last year.

The rumor had Schroeder signing an entry-level deal with the Canucks, then either making the team (possible) or playing the season with the Everett Silvertips, who own his Western Hockey League rights (more likely).

The rumor made some sense. Doing this would give the Canucks a chance to take a long look at Schroeder in training camp, and even for the first ten games of the regular season, before making a decision on where he would play this season.

While there are some teams who believe that their draft picks are better off in major junior than U.S. college hockey, there are others who will let a kid make up his own mind. It appears the Canucks are that type of organization. Yes, they plucked Ryan Kesler out of Ohio State after his freshman year, but they also let Mason Raymond stick around for two years at Minnesota Duluth.

In the case of Schroeder, the Canucks aren't pushing. Schroder's father, John, has told The Vancouver Sun that his son will return to Minnesota for his sophomore season.

"I just talked to Jordan last night," John Schroeder said from Prior Lake, Minn. "We've told [the Canucks] he's going to go back to school for another year. He'll be a leader on his team and can work on some things, like his shooting. He can grow in maturity and be ready to step into professional hockey at the end of the season.

"Playing in the WHL is probably not an option for us."

While this is good news for the Gophers and their fans, it does come with a bit of a downer. After all, it doesn't sound like Jordan Schroeder will be in college beyond this coming season.

John Schroeder said his son could join either the Canucks or their farm team in Winnipeg after the college season ends in March. Jordan turns 19 on Sept. 29.

The Gophers just missed the NCAA Tournament in 2009. With the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul hosting an NCAA regional in March 2010, the pressure is on to return.

(Tap of the stick: Western College Hockey)