Habs prospect quits college team
CBC Sports
28/01/2009 11:59:34 AM
A Montreal Canadiens draft pick who was involved in an on-ice attack while playing for Michigan State University has withdrawn from the school after being suspended from the team.
Andrew Conboy told coaches on Monday that he’s dropping out after being banned for the rest of the regular season and at least two playoff games, according to head coach Rick Comley.
A second player, Corey Tropp, still is enrolled but also is suspended from the team.
The suspensions followed an ugly incident that occurred late in the Spartans’ 5-3 loss to the rival University of Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night in Ann Arbor.
After Wolverines defenceman Steve Kampfer hit Tropp into the boards, fellow forward Conboy retaliated, tackling Kampfer from behind, knocking him to the ice. While Kampfer was down, Tropp hit Kampfer’s neck with his stick.
Kampfer left the arena in a neck brace and was diagnosed with a sprained neck but no concussion. He’s expected to play against Notre Dame this weekend.
Tropp was ejected from the game while Conboy received a double minor for fighting.
Tropp was confronted in the Michigan State dressing room by Kampfer’s father, Bruce, before the man was restrained by security.
Conboy, 20, and Tropp, 19, were suspended for the last 10 games of the regular season and at least two playoff contests.
University of Michigan police say they are reviewing whether to investigate Saturday’s incident.
“What happened near the end of the game this weekend is not the way in which we want our hockey program represented,” Comley said in a statement Monday announcing the suspensions. “We cannot condone their actions. We felt that we had to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
In 21 games this season, Conboy has five points (one goal) and a team-high 76 penalty minutes. Tropp, a Buffalo Sabres prospect, has 11 points (three goals) and 45 penalty minutes in 21 contests.
Kampfer – an Anaheim Ducks drat pick – was involved in a separate violent incident in October when he was assaulted outside a bar, reportedly by a Michigan football player. Kampfer suffered a fractured skull and a severe neck injury.
With files from the Associated Press
Andrew Conboy will probably meet with Canadiens management to discuss his options in the coming days.
If Gainey/Brisebois sign him to an NHL entry contract, I’m not sure if he goes to the AHL or ECHL?
He brings good size (6’4″ 200lb) and his skill set is above average (though I wasn’t terribly impressed with his puck skills at this year’s development camp), plus he is a physical player who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves.
Unfortunately, he had a serious brain cramp/fart against University of Michigan and rightfully got canned for the rest of the year.
I think Conboy would have trouble making an ECHL team, much less an AHL team. He is very overrated among Hab fans. Look at the difficulty J.T. Wyman is having, and he has loads more skill than Conboy.
That said, it was a harebrained idea for him to try to play in the NCAA in the first place. His only asset is his willingness to fight, but that doesn’t cut it in college hockey. He may catch on as an enforcer for a junior team making a playoff run, othewise he may have to start out in the UHL or something.
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