Defenseman Corey Fienhage (2008, 3rd round) has left the University of North Dakota and signed with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
Fienhage, 20, made the jump to the WCHA's Fighting Sioux directly from the Minnesota high school ranks. However, playing time was difficult to secure upon arrival in Grand Forks, and with senior Chay Genoway obtaining a medical red shirt and a strong batch of blueline recruits en route, the 6'3, 216-pound righty was forced to consider other options in what would be his junior season.
Fienhage is a rugged defender who simply needs more reps to improve his feet and decision making. His game should translate well to Canadian juniors, and it will have to if he's aiming to get signed by the Sabres as the club will only hold his drafts rights until June 1st, 2011. If he had remained in school or transferred to another D1 program, the Sabres would have retained his rights until the completion of college.
EDIT: The NHL CBA allows the Sabres to hold Fienhage's rights for two more years. If the Sabres exercise the fourth year, it is unclear where Fienhage would play if not signed next season since he would have no junior or NCAA eligibility remaining.
