Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Fienhage lands on Blazers list

The CHL rights to North Dakota sophomore Corey Fienhage have been protected by the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, giving the defenseman a major-junior option in the event that he leaves college in search of more playing time. The team hasn't spoken to Fienhage directly, but has been in contact with his advisor entering the offseason.

SabresProspects prefers the 20-year old stays in school to allow for two more developmental years, but the Sioux blueline will only get more crowded as all seven healthy defensemen from this season's Broadmoor Cup winners will be returning, with another top commit on the way in Derek Forbort of the USNTDP and another rumored to be close.

Fienhage has played 39 games in his first two seasons in Grand Forks after making the jump straight to the WCHA as an 18-year old out of high school. By foregoing a planned year of seasoning in the USHL, he wasn't put into a position to succeed out of the gate with the Sioux. A WHL move would certainly offer more playing time.