NHL College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

It's been a pretty good start to the season for Michigan. The Wolverines took care of business on the road last weekend, sweeping Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) to open their Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule.

Even though junior star Louie Caporusso (NHL rights: Ottawa) has just one goal in the Wolverines' first six games, Michigan has gotten early contributions from a highly-touted freshman.

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Two big stories emerged from a Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekend series at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, most college hockey followers only know about one of them. While everyone is well aware of the early-season struggles of Minnesota (0-3-1 record, three goals scored in four games, and all three losses have been shutouts), they've probably dismissed the accomplishments of the Denver goalie who held the Gophers off the board for 120 minutes.

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Last year, he was vilified. Fans wanted to run him out of college hockey. Instead of finishing his sophomore season at Michigan State, forward Corey Tropp (NHL rights: Buffalo) found himself looking for a place to play hockey. A vicious assault of Michigan's Steve Kampfer (Anaheim) got Tropp suspended by the school for the rest of the season. What's happened since is a great story of redemption.

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

As the college hockey season gets underway, freshmen are often just trying to get some game experience and adjust to the speed of the college game, which is much different than the high school, prep school, or junior team they came from.

For North Dakota forward Mike Cichy (NHL rights: Montreal), you couldn't have scripted a better start to his college career.

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

Last year, we scoured the 58 Division I hockey schools for the best players we could find. As the 2009-2010 season gets underway this weekend, and Boston University tries to defend their dramatically-won NCAA title, it's time to take a sneak peek at this year's top talent.

The NHLPA announced early Monday morning that it had voted "overwhelmingly" to relieve executive director Paul Kelly of his duties after nearly two years on the job at the groups annual meeting in Chicago. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Sunday's meeting lasted nearly 10 hours and consisted of heated debates. Kelly had held the position since October 31, 2007.

The NHLPA executive board issued the following statement in a press release:

"Following the Executive Board's review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director. We appreciate Mr. Kelly's service to our Association."

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).

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, it's our link dump that looks at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Satan Interested In Return To Islanders

There's still a few intriguing options on the free agent market -- Alex Tanguay probably being the best -- including former Oilers, Sabres, Islanders and Penguins winger Miroslav Satan. After splitting the 2008-09 season between the NHL and AHL, the 34-year-old is still interested in a possible return to Long Island, and according Newsday's Katie Strang, he skated at the team's practice facility on Wednesday.