Killorn, Alexander

Sweden Under-20 Team 2 @ Harvard Crimson 1 (Exhibition)
F Alex Killorn, HAR: 0-0-0, Even, 4 PIM, 3 SOG

Harvard dropped its only tune up for the regular season against the U-20 Swedish team. The Crimson open their season this coming weekend against conference opponents Union (Friday) and Rensselaer (Saturday).

The Lightning have assembled a preliminary roster for the upcoming prospects camp July 10-14 at the St. Pete Times Forum. The following roster, courtesy of Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune, includes at least three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 17 forwards. All 2010 draft choices will be participating.

Rumors have been swirling all week that Montreal first round draft pick Louis Leblanc may have already decided to leave Harvard University after one season with the Crimson. Montreal writer Pat Hickey penned a story for the Montreal Gazette on Wednesday claiming the speedy forward might be weighing whether to go to the QMJHL or sign with the Canadiens and play in the AHL for Hamilton. Compounding the intrigue was that Leblanc, whose junior rights were held by Chicoutimi, apparently had a preference to play for the Montreal Juniors in the QMJHL so he could also attend classes at McGill University to continue his education.

Today, at the tail end of the QMJHL Midget Draft, Chicoutimi traded Leblanc's rights to the Montreal Juniors, along with a 3rd round pick, for Guillaume Asselin and a 2011 first round pick. That will only serve to intensify speculation that Leblanc may leave Harvard. If Leblanc leaves, he will add to a list of players not returning to the Crimson that already included graduating seniors Doug Rogers, Chad Morin, Alex Biega, Jack Christian, and Ian Tallett. While only Rogers, Morin, and Biega were serious contributors to Harvard last season, it's important to bear in mind the club has only won 9 games each of the past two seasons. Losing those players and their leading scorer, Leblanc, may be a death sentence for Ted Donato's club next season.

All that begs the question: what about Alex Killorn? Killorn, a 2007 3rd round pick of the Lightning, has been routinely singled out over the past couple of seasons as being one of the team's best young talents in prospect camps but has failed to garner much publicity playing for a sinking Harvard club. If Leblanc leaves, can the Lightning allow one of their ten best prospects to languish through another potential single-digits win season at Harvard? Would it be better for his development to sign Killorn and have him begin his pro career with Norfolk of the AHL? Expect new GM Steve Yzerman to seriously contemplate that option if Killorn impresses him as much at this summer's prospect camp as he has other Hockey Operations people with the Lightning in previous camps.

If Killorn were to be signed, he'd join fellow signees Johan Harju and Mark Barberio from an already strong class of incoming pros. The team could also still sign 2009 2nd round pick Richard Panik, who just completed his first World Championships appearance for Slovakia.

Hat tip to our Chad Schnarr, who has been following this situation closely on BoltProspects' Twitter feed.

No.15 Vermont Catamounts 2 vs. No.5 Wisconsin Badgers 3
NCAA West Regional Semifinal (St. Paul, MN)
C/W Matt Marshall , UVM: Did not play.
Season Totals: 33 GP, 1-4-5, -4, 14 PIM

Vermont actually led this game 2-1 after the first period, but were then outshot 30-15 over the final two periods, being outscored 2-0. The Catamounts' season and impressive playoff run is now over. Marshall (pictured) was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game after the sophomore only missed one regular season contest. His speed and defensive ability are assets to the Catamounts, and he’ll likely be a fixture on at least their third line next season.

C/W Alexander Killorn, Harvard: Season complete.
Season Totals: 32 GP, 9-11-20, E, 26 PIM

Killorn, a sophomore, was one of the top prospects at the Lightning’s 2009 summer camp and could be a signing target of the Lightning this offseason. Speculation from Harvard followers is he’ll return to the Crimson next season, however. Stay tuned.

D Luke Witkowski , Western Mich. Univ.: Season complete.
Season Totals: 32 GP, 2-4-6, -13, 67 PIM

Witkowski gained valuable ice time as a freshman defenseman for the Broncos this season, though he went through his ups and downs in his rookie year. He is expected to be a big part of WMU’s future on the blueline.

USHS Update

D Kirill Gotovets, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
Season Totals: 44 GP, 8-19-27, 73 PIM

Gotovets, a Cornell commit, had five points after 14 games, but has 22 points in his last 30. Shattuck is 42-11-4 entering the USA Hockey Tier 1 National Tournament in Chicago on April 7. Shattuck’s playoffs start following the Chicago tourney.

Harvard Crimson 0 @ No.9 Cornell Big Red 3
ECAC Quarterfinals – Game 2. Cornell wins Best of 3 series 2-0.
C/W Alexander Killorn, HAR: 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season Totals: 32 GP, 9-11-20, E, 26 PIM

Killorn (pictured) returned to the Crimson lineup, but it wasn’t enough as Cornell completed the quarterfinal sweep of Harvard and ended their season. Killorn, a sophomore, was one of the top prospects at the Lightning’s 2009 summer camp, and could be a signing target of the Lightning this offseason. He set career highs in games played (+2), goals (+3), assists (+3) and points (+6). He also nearly cut his PIM in half from his freshman year, 46 to 26.

No.19 Vermont Catamounts 1 @ No.11 New Hampshire Wildcats 0
Hockey East Quarterfinals – Game 2. Best of 3 series tied 1-1.
C/W Matt Marshall , UVM: Did not play.
Season Totals: 33 GP, 1-4-5, -4, 14 PIM

Vermont handed UNH their first home loss of the season when freshman David Pacan (Blackhawks 6/09) scored at the five minute mark of the third period. Vermont will try to complete the 8 vs. 1 upset Sunday night.

D Luke Witkowski , Western Mich. Univ.: Season complete.
Season Totals: 32 GP, 2-4-6, -13, 67 PIM