July 13, 2006
Kessel, Toews Staying Put?

By Mike Eidelbes

Despite a rash of defections by underclassmen to the professional ranks over the course of this offseason, it appears that two of country's top forwards – Minnesota's Phil Kessel and North Dakota's Jonathan Toews – will be back for their sophomore seasons.

Fighting Sioux sophomore defenseman Taylor Chorney told INCH's Jess Myers Thursday that he had spoken with Toews, whom the Chicago Blackhawks selected with the third overall pick in last month's National Hockey League draft, the previous night. Chorney said Toews told him that he'll suit up for North Dakota this season unless the Blackhawks "back him into a corner."

Both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Thursday that Phil Kessel would return for another season with Minnesota.

Toews, who scored 22 goals and 39 points in his rookie campaign at North Dakota, spent part of this week in suburban Chicago at the Blackhawks' annual prospects camp. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, product scored three goals in three intrasquad matches.

Meanwhile, published reports out of the Twin Cities Thursday indicated Kessel will return to the Gophers this fall.

Both Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press wrote that Kessel told the Gopher coaching staff that he was coming back for his sophomore season. Most observers were convinced Kessel, the fifth overall pick in this year's draft by the Boston Bruins, would sign a professional contract this summer.

INCH named Kessel its 2006 national rookie of the year after the Madison, Wis., native led NCAA rookies in scoring last season with 51 points in 39 games. Another highly touted prospect, defenseman Erik Johnson, who was taken by St. Louis with first overall selection in this year's draft, announced last week that he would play for Minnesota this season instead of signing with the Blues.