Gabe Guertler Leaving NCAA for OHL
Just a few weeks after news broke that Sonny Milano might be interested in ditching the NCAA in favour of the OHL, Gabe Guertler of the Minnesota Gophers is making the move. Guertler is currently attending the University of Minnesota but has decided after just one year that the best move for his career is to try another league.
Gabe Guertler will be joining the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds next season to pursue the future of his career. With the move, he will give up the final three years of his college eligibility.
"“It is with great excitement that we announce today that Gabe Guertler has decided to join the Greyhounds. Adding a player of Gabe’s caliber to our team at this stage is another very positive step in our evolution of our Program.” ~Kyle Dubas Greyhounds Former GM."
“I’m really excited to be a part of the Soo Program, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to get better as a player.
The speedy forward has been passed over twice in the NHL draft due to his size but still believes that with the proper team and the proper look, he can picked up by an NHL team. Guertler comes in at 5 foot 9 and recorded 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 24 games with the Gophers last season. He spent the second half of last season centring the fourth line with two other freshman players.
Gabe Guertler hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida but ran into some trouble with the team last season after an arrest for a DUI which left him suspended from the team for one month. Head coach Don Lucia said at the time the team would re-evaluate Guertler’s status with Minnesota at the end of the season and he granted him his release.
"“I’m really excited to be a part of the Soo Program, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to get better as a player. The Soo is a great program and are a top-tier team in OHL. I look forward to getting started.” ~ Gabe Guertler"
Before joining the Gophers, Guertler competed with the USHL, playing for Fargo, where he notched 31 goals but he had great difficulty adjusting to the NCAA game.
With trouble off the ice, trouble on the ice adjusting, the parting of ways seems like the best option for both parties at this time. Gabe Guertler will be a member of the Soo Greyhounds next season as he continues to play himself into the NHL.