Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Where in the World is Brock Trotter?

Here's your daily Brock Trotter update.

The official word from Denver was that there was no update on Trotter's situation. Coach George Gwozdecky said that he's still on Denver's roster, so he's still part of the team, but couldn't give any more information. So he's still technically on the team, but there's really no other evidence to suggest he's still part of the team.

It probably goes without saying that this is a pretty serious situation, but his roommate, Denver captain Andrew Thomas didn't even give an answer to a question on whether Trotter was still living with him.

Meanwhile, in North Dakota, Sioux play-by-play announcer Tim Hennessy reported that USHL commish Gino Gasparini told him that Trotter was trying to join the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, where he played his junior hockey.

Mike Chambers followed up on that rumor, and Gasparini said he had heard about Trotter going to Lincoln from a third or fourth party.

Chambers mentions that Lincoln already has their allotted four "overage players," though from a pure hockey standpoint, I'm sure Lincoln would be more than willing to give up an enforcer for a top scorer on a top college team.

And finally, I talked with the source who originally told me Trotter was gone, and he remained firm about Trotter having left Denver. Given his position and past history, I've got no choice but to believe them.

So right now, there's a ton of evidence pointing to the fact that Trotter isn't with Denver any more, but Denver is being very careful to not actually say it. I can think of two theories as to why they are being so careful. One, there is a slim hope that something could change, and Trotter could return to the team. Or two, Trotter is definitely gone, but DU could possibly be opening themselves up to legal action if they say he is gone before all of their ducks are in a row.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The "Britney Spears-like" fascination with situations like this is always entertaining.

Here's some supposition I haven't heard ....

Trotter breaks a team rule (or perhaps appears to break a rule) and Gwoz suspends him for 2 games.

Brock says,"C'mon Coach that's pretty stiff when you can't prove I did anything wrong" ... and Gwoz says, "I'm the big cheese ... love it or leave it".

Brock calls home; Mom and Dad say, "We know you didn't do it ... come home and we'll sue those deep-pocketed DU snobs!"

If DU is taking so long "putting their ducks in a row" it would appear to me that should be interpreted as "covering their ass". There was zero delay in announcing he was "suspended" for two games.

If and when players are dealt with unfairly DU certainly could be seen as leaving themselves open to a problem.

Chris said...

FWIW, Denver never "announced" a suspension. It just became obvious he wasn't playing in those two games because he didn't travel with the team.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet he ends up at UND, just like Gregoire. He's a Manitoba boy

Anonymous said...

If he got kicked off DU for a discipline issue of some sort, then he'd probably fit in great at North Dakota. A team filled with class acts like Dave "Flip the Bird" Hakstol, Kelly "I cross check from behind" Zajac, TJ "I fought the law and the law won" Oshie, and Joe "I slash mascots" Finley.

Anonymous said...

Well Kelly Zajac is going to Union next year so I'm not quite sure how you know he crosschecks in the back, must watch a lot of BCHL games.

But I guess these nicknames are all better than Blake "Selfish Penalty in overtime" Wheeler or The Minnesota "We are a punch of pussies from the metro area" Golden Gophers.

Anonymous said...

Thr rumor out of Denver is that he cheated on an exam. If true, he's gone unless Gwoz and the athletic department can get the faculty member and other school administrators to excuse his "error in judgment" -- highly unlikely. The rumor does makes some sense in that the school would have certain procedures to follow before ruling on a cheating accusation, and that could be the cause of the delay in action by DU.

Anonymous said...

Chris,

I think we'd all love to know who your "source" is. A university official? Someone in the hockey program? A drunk frat guy? Any source worth a crap shouldn't be talking to the media, the public, and most certainly not college hockey bloggers about internal matters. There are likely legal issues, administrative issues, and privacy issues to consider. Until an official announcement is made it's all speculation and rumors.

Anonymous said...

Rumors are what the internet is for.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it obvious by now Trotter hasn't been developing at DU? Look for him to be playing in the minors soon. After all Gwoz can't develop players either.

Anonymous said...

I thought all College players were good citizens...

And all major Junior players can't get into school, are dumb, etc, etc..

Seems to be alot of these types of things happening lately...

Anonymous said...

"I thought all College players were good citizens...

And all major Junior players can't get into school, are dumb, etc, etc..

Seems to be alot of these types of things happening lately..."


I did not think of this before, but it does seem like as college hockey moves more and more toward Major Jr as a NHL development league, we seem to see more of these incidents.

Matthew Barry said...

He's signed with the Canadiens :)

Anonymous said...

Ok...here the rumor running around DU (I think it is pretty accurate)....he was caught cheating. It happens all the time so don't be surprised. Have any of you people cheated in your life. I have done it when I was in school.

Anonymous said...

He was involved in a "sexual misconduct" incident with an unwilling female student from DU. As a result of an internal board hearing he was let go.

Anonymous said...

Why is UND not looking at Kelly Zajac? The other two have worked out pretty well..I don't follow the BCHL, but is he just not as good as the elders?