NCAA

This was first brought to my attention this morning over at Pension Plan Puppets.

Leafs Relinquish Rights to Joel Champagne.

Toronto has decided to reportedly let Joel Champagne re-enter the draft this year. Why? I wish I could tell you.

At 6′4″, 220 pounds and over a point per game average in the QMJHL, you’d think he would at least be signed to an ELC. But it looks as though Burke and brass have decided to look the other way.

According to the NHL Re-entry Rules:

After Oliver Ekman-Larsson—number one prospect of the Phoenix Coyotes—signed his entry level contract yesterday, it got me to thinking—Nazem Kadri will likely jump higher rated prospects in making it to the NHL next season.

Here’s an article from Chris Nichols of Sportsnet covering the signing.

The Rangers have signed Cameron Talbot, a 22-year-old goalie from the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Here is the press release from the Rangers:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Cameron Talbot.

Don't look now, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers are quietly putting together a playoff run.

The Gophers (11-12-2 WCHA, 16-15-2 overall) defeated a reeling UMD Bulldogs (14-10-1, 18-14-1) 3-2 on Friday night at the DECC in Duluth.

Plenty of fans of both teams were on hand to watch the Gophers pick up an emotional and hard-fought win on a gritty Jacob Cepis goal at 14:59 of the third period.

After a disappointing two losses against Denver University, the Gophers could have given up hope for the season. They apparently decided to keep fighting.

The Gophers handed then-No. 7 Colorado College two convincing losses, dominating nearly the whole of both weekend games.

Friday's game featured a tense first period, with Colorado College getting several excellent chances to score on Gopher goaltender, Alex Kangas. Kangas, however, made quality saves on every shot the Tigers put on goal in the first period.

Former Clarkson and Oswego State goaltender Tim Potter says he has been contacted by Bakersfield of the East Coast Hockey League to fill an open roster spot. The Bakersfield native tells TheVOTL.com that he will suit up for his hometown Condors Wednesday night.

Starting backstop Justin Pogge was called up by Anaheim of the NHL on Monday. He is being counted on to help replace Jean-Sébastien Giguère, who re-aggravated a groin injury this weekend. Giguère is listed as day-to-day.

Everyone loves power rankings of teams in a particular sport. But why not see how the best teams stack up among the best of the big six team sports in North America? Which teams are flying highest right now, regardless of sport?

Sweet 16 is my attempt to rank the best teams in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and college football and basketball as a whole every week. Only the very best teams land a spot in these rankings.

No. 16  New York Giants

Nagoya Grampus Eight 1 - Newcastle Jets 1 (Asian Champions League, April 7, 2009) Newcastle started strongly and dealt the hosts an early blow when Tarek Elrich scored a rebound in the 9th minute. Grampus Eight were level in the 64th minute Keiji Tamada curled home a fine free-kick which had keeper Ben Kennedy rooted to the spot.