Top goalie prospect Jack Campbell de-commits on verbal pledge to Michigan
Not that long ago, Jack Campbell maintained he would continue his hockey career playing for Red Berenson at Michigan.
But when the Wolverines announced their latest recruiting class on Monday, the highly touted goaltender's name wasn't on the list. Campbell, who was part of the U.S. Developmental team that opened up Michigan's exhibition, now is expected to join the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
Goaltender Jack Campbell blocks a shot by Justin Faulk during practice for the under-18 USA hockey team at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube earlier this year. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
Campbell expressed excitement about the idea of playing for Michigan last month after the U.S. Developmental team's exhibition loss to the Wolverines.
"(Michigan fans) want me here, and I want to be here, so it should be a great fit," Campbell told reporters at Yost Ice Arena last month. "But they haven't seen the best of me yet, and hopefully I'll be able to show them that soon."
In a statement on Rivals.com Monday, Campbell said he felt bad about rescinding his verbal commitment to Michigan, but felt going to the OHL would better serve him.
"My goal is to be playing in the National Hockey League within a year or two, and I did not want to put Michigan's hockey program in a bad position where I left after one season," Campbell said on the site. "By going to the Ontario Hockey League, I feel it will accelerate my development so I will be able to more quickly achieve my goal of being an NHL goaltender."
Windsor faces the Plymouth Whalers Tuesday night when former Michigan forward Robbie Czarnik is expected to make his debut. Czarnik announced he had quit Michigan's team on Monday.
Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.
Comments
GoBlue2009
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 7:14 a.m.
I've never been more disappointed in a potential M recruit in any sport. Jack had seemed fully committed to Michigan: he talked about wearing the Block M, playing in Yost, bringing National Championships to Ann Arbor. You can't take anyone's word anymore; there's no value left in it. Kids don't want to be part of a team anymore, nor do they seem to want to play simply to represent a university. It's all about the Almighty Dollar, and that's sad.
chosen1
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 11:01 a.m.
they know it as well as coaches know it. Plus if you learned anything from football recruiting, a verbal doesn't mean anything til the LOI is faxed in. But this truly is a huge disappointment for the program. I know I would have expected him to be here only for one year, but the kid knows what he wants and he feels its best for him, so you can't fully blame him
Blue Marker
Tue, Nov 24, 2009 : 10:51 a.m.
Crushing blow to UM. Do kids know the meaning of the word "commit"?