Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck Sports - Finley to return for UND hockey

Finley to return for UND hockey

Jun 12, 2008 - 04:06:44 CDT

GRAND FORKS (AP) - University of North Dakota hockey defenseman Joe Finley says he will return for his senior season.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association's leader last season in plus-minus rating was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals.

Finley led the Fighting Sioux in plus-minus the last two seasons and led the league with a plus-24 rating as a junior. The Edina, Minn., native also contributed offensively - scoring four goals and adding 11 assists last year.

With Finley returning, UND will have three veteran defensemen, including senior Zach Jones and junior Chay Genoway, playing in front of inexperienced goaltending. Sophomores Jake Marto and Derrick LaPoint also will be playing in front of either senior goaltender Aaron Walski, who has one career start, or freshman Brad Eidsness, who has none.

UND has become accustomed to underclassmen leaving early for the professional ranks in recent years. The five Sioux underclassmen who were expected to get interest from the pros this offseason all have announced their plans.

T.J. Oshie and Taylor Chorney will be heading to the NHL. Oshie, a forward, signed with the St. Louis Blues in April. Chorney, a defenseman, has agreed to terms with the Edmonton Oilers and is to sign a contract on July 1.

Forwards Ryan Duncan and Andrew Kozek, who tied for the team lead in goals as juniors, have said they will return for their senior seasons. Duncan two seasons ago won the Hobey Baker award as the best player in college hockey.

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Comments

Eddie Shore wrote on Jun 12, 2008 10:36 PM:

" If Wheeler and Finley make it in the NHL, I might strap on my old Super Tacks and Cooper-Alls and make myself available for the next draft. "

Eddy wrote on Jun 12, 2008 10:10 PM:

" This will give Wheeler some time to find a team before Finley gets there to put on a real show. "

Eddie Shore wrote on Jun 12, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Good point, Don. That'd be a win-win for UND. Same defensive skills...less penalty minutes. "

Don Julio wrote on Jun 12, 2008 1:02 PM:

" I heard Hakstol's back up plan, had Finley decided to go pro, was to put an orange pylon on the ice. "

Fight Fight Fight wrote on Jun 12, 2008 12:49 PM:

" Anyone that tries to pull a gopher hockey player out of a handshake line at the end of the game so that he can pound him is OK in my book. I'm glad he is returning, because it will make next year that much more interesting. "

sioux fan wrote on Jun 12, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I don't care what statistic he led any conference in. He is terribly slow and cost the Sioux two very crucial goals down the stretch. The Sioux would have been better off if he would have went pro early too! "

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