Top Tech recruit bolts for WHL

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Highly-touted forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel will not be coming to Michigan Tech next semester and will instead join the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League.

Pierro-Zabotel's college entrance exam test scores did not make the cut, so the Pittsburgh Penguins' draft pick (third round, 80th overall this past June) has opted to go the major junior route and forfeit his college eligibility.

“We are disappointed Casey will not be joining our program and it is certainly not for lack of trying," MTU head coach Jamie Russell said. "Casey is a terrific young man and we wish him all the best in his future."

More from the defending Memorial Cup champion Giants.

Ex-Spartan Thelen not signed by Wild

The Minnesota Wild relinquished their rights to 2004 first-round pick A.J. Thelen on Friday after failing to sign him.

The Wild chose the 6-foot-3 defenseman with the 12th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He was coming off a stellar freshman season at Michigan State, where he was a second-team All-American.

But Thelen ran into trouble at the school and was kicked off the hockey team after being caught drinking underage.

He spent the next two years in the Western Hockey League, where he helped the Vancouver Giants win the Memorial Cup last week.

Thelen is now an unrestricted free agent and has already generated interest from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

The Wild had until Friday to sign him to a deal or forfeit his rights. The Wild will receive the 42nd overall pick in the June 22-23 draft as compensation.