The first somber chord has been struck on the national champion Wisconsin men's hockey team's week of euphoric celebration.
Junior forward Robbie Earl announced Friday afternoon that he will forego his senior season and sign a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.
It was a very, very, very hard decision,\ Earl said. ""I'm happy to be in this position to sign, but then again it's tough coming off the national championship, you'd like to be with your guys and celebrate a bit.""
Earl is already playing with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, the Maple Leafs' minor league squad. The Marlies concluded their regular season last night and will begin the playoffs April 21.
The team will miss Earl next year. He finished his career at Wisconsin with 121 career points (58 goals, 63 assists), and was named the 2006 Frozen Four's most outstanding player after registering three goals and one assist.
""It's a tough hole to fill,"" head coach Mike Eaves said. ""You lose a 24 goal scorer and a 50 point guy. What we'll probably have to do is replace him by committee.""
His freshman season Earl scored 14 goals and 13 assists and was named to the WCHA conference All-Rookie team.
In his sophomore season Earl led the team with 20 goals and 44 points and was named second team All-WCHA. He led the team in goals again this year with 24.
The ""committee"" Eaves spoke of could be any number of Badger players stepping up as goal scorers. Sophomore center Joe Pavelski has already proven to be a goal scorer, and assistant captain Andrew Joudrey will be back to score goals next season as well.
Other talented offensive players like freshmen Jack Skille and Ben Street could potentially step up as 40-50 point guys as well.
Two players who have reputations as goal scorers but did not suit up in the Frozen Four, are sophomore forward Matt Ford and freshman forward Tom Gorowski, both of whom could add some offensive fire-power. Gorowski is still looking for his first career goal, but barring injury he will get that and more next season.
Goal support by committee could also come from role players like junior forwards Jake Dowell, Andy Brandt and Ross Carlson. All three have performed well for the Badgers in clutch situations.
After Carlson's goal against Maine in the Frozen Four Eaves called him a player that ""makes his best plays while on his knees spinning like a top.""
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