Okposo on his way?

TSN.ca, Canada’s version of ESPN, is reporting that University of Minnesota power forward Kyle Okposo will not return to school following the World Junior Hockey Championships. This is relevant because Okposo, the player who was taken one spot ahead of Peter Mueller in the 2006 NHL draft, happens to be on Everett’s protected list, and the TSN story mentioned Everett as a possible destination. If he did somehow end up a Silvertip, it would be a massive addition to the team.

However, I don’t think there’s a great likelihood he’ll end up here. It’s very possible he’s ready to join the NHL’s New York Islanders — five of the six players taken before him are NHL regulars — and because he’s coming from the NCAA ranks, he’s eligible to play in the AHL as a 19-year-old whereas if he was coming from major junior the AHL wouldn’t be an option.

So don’t expect to see Okposo as a Silvertip. But who knows, maybe Santa will be dropping off a present in Everett after all.

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Oh, one more thing that needs to be mentioned. When Everett coach John Becanic was an assistant for the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the head coach was none other than Ted Nolan, the Islanders’ current head coach. Take that for what you will.