Tech's Pierro-Zabotel to the Dub?

The Western College Hockey blog is reporting that Michigan Tech freshman Casey Pierro-Zabotel, who isn't eligible to join the Huskies until after the current semester, may opt to play for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Pierro-Zabotel, who was the 80th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, was considered a partial qualifier according to the NCAA's initial eligibility standards. He will use the fall semester to fulfill the necessary requirements to become eligible.

As the WCH blog points out, "this is still just a rumor, albeit one from a fairly credible source, and things can always change, but as of right now, it doesn't sound promising for the Huskies."

WCHA Blog's Take: When it was announced that CPZ would have to sit out for the first half of the season, it seemed like there was a fairly good chance that he'd wind up playing major junior hockey as opposed to waiting it out to play for the Huskies, given he's a western Canadian kid and his lofty NHL draft status. We'll see if this rumor comes to fruition, but if it does, this is certainly a blow to a Tech team with high aspirations this season.