Last Thursday and Friday I was out of the cities — in Bemidji — so I missed the latest early departure from the WCHA. It was sophomore forward Tyler Bozak of Denver. He signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would have been one of the conference’s best players next season.

He missed about half this season with a knee injury. But he was a point/game player who was especially tough on the Gophers.

Even without Bozak, Denver should be tough next season. Mike Chambers, who covers the Pioneers for the Denver Post, predicts DU will be the WCHA favorite and be rated among the top five in the nation. If nobody else leaves, the Pioneers will have a strong senior class of six players.

Here is the list of early WCHA departures so far:

Player                 College              Pos.   Yr    NHL team

Richard Bachman  Colorado Col.    G       so.   Dallas Stars 

Tyler Bozak            Denver              F       so.   Tor. M’ Leafs  

Paul Crowder  Alaska Anchorage   F        jr.   NY  Rangers

Trevor Bruess Minn. State              F       jr.   Wash. Caps

Brian Connelly, CC                            D      jr.    Chi. B’hawks

Jamie McBain, Wis.                          D      jr.     Carolina

Ryan Stoa, Gophers                          F     jr.     Colorado Avs

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