Hobey Baker Winner Blake Geoffrion Signs with the Nashville Predators

Madison, Wisconsin television station WKOW reports that that the Nashville Predators have signed Hobey Baker winner Blake Geoffrion to an ATO contract. Geoffrion will immediately report to Milwaukee where he will make his pro debut with the Admirals in their playoff series against Chicago. (Thanks to Admiral's Short Shifts for the tip)

It is somewhat surprising that this was not done earlier in the week as the Preds have signed several other prospects in the last few days.

When Geoffrion officially pulls on the Preds sweater for an regular season game, he will become the first player from Tennessee to play in an NHL game. While Geoffrion's family roots are steeped in Montreal Canadian team history with his father, grandfather and great- grandfather playing there, he grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee and played youth hockey in the Nashville area.

Here is the text of the story from WKOW...

Geoffrion makes pro debut Friday for Milwaukee Admirals

Madison, WI — Friday night, former UW Badger and the 2010 Hobey Baker recipient, Blake Geoffrion, will debut with the Milwaukee Admirals as they take on the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena in Chicago. Geoffrion, a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2006, will debut with their farm team, the Milwaukee Admirals who enter the 2010 AHL post-season as the No. 4 seed in the West Division. Geoffrion signed with the Nashville Predators late Thursday afternoon and left for Chicago first thing this morning.

Blake Geoffrion, who is the first Wisconsin player to win the Hobey Baker, also captured the the InsideCollegeHockey.com's National Player of the Year laurel, First-Team All-America and WCHA honors and was named NCAA West Regional Most Valuable Player in his senior season alone.

The Ads will host games three and four on Saturday, April 17 at 7:00pm and Monday, April 19 at 7:00 pm respectively. Fans can buy tickets for games three and four by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are available for $12 and $10 and groups of ten or more people receive a minimum of $2 off of each ticket. For more information or to order group tickets call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550.
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Here is the official release from the Milwaukee Admirals...

Admirals Sign Geoffrion to ATO
Apr 16, 2010

Milwaukee, WI—The Milwaukee Admirals announced today that the team has signed 2010 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner Blake Geoffrion to an Amateur Try-Out Contract (ATO). The former University of Wisconsin star will look to make his Admirals debut tonight when the Ads travel to Chicago for game two of the West Division Semifinals at 7:30 pm at the All-State Arena.

Geoffrion won the award given to college hockey’s most outstanding player after tying for second in the nation in goals (28) and finishing first in Division I hockey in power-play tallies (15). A tri-captain for the Badgers in 2009-10, Geoffrion posted 50 points (28g-22a) in 40 games, helping the school reach the NCAA National Championship Game. The 6-1, 196-pound right wing was both a First Team West All America, and First Team WCHA selection in his senior season, and was named Most Valuable Player of the West Regional after leading UW to victories over Vermont and St. Cloud State with five points (2g-3a) in the two games.

During his four-season collegiate career, the Predators first pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft amassed 114 points (55g-59a) and 243 penalty minutes in 146 games. His grandfather, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion and great grandfather, Howie Morenz, are both Hockey Hall-of-Famers who won a combined nine Stanley Cups as members of the Montreal Canadiens. His father, Danny, was drafted eighth overall by the Canadiens in the 1978 Draft, and played for both Montreal and Winnipeg during his career.

Geoffrion will become the second Hobey Baker winner to play for Milwaukee. Admiral’s legend Tony Hrkac, who won the award with North Dakota in 1987, was the first.

The Ads will host games three and four of the series on Saturday, April 17 at 7:00 and Monday, April 19 at 7:00 pm respectively. Fans can buy tickets for these games by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are available for $12 and $10 and groups of ten or more people receive a minimum of $2 off of each ticket. For more information or to order group tickets call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550.

Playoff packages are still available and guarantee the same seat for all potential post-season games. For more information on playoff packages go to www.milwaukeeadmirals.com.

We will add the Predators official release once it comes to us directly from the Preds.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Blake Goeffrion Becomes First Tennessean To Win Hobey Baker Award

Blake Geoffrion became the role model for tens of thousands of non-traditional market youth hockey players when he was named the winner of the 2010 Hobey Baker Award that is given to the best NCAA college player each year.

Geoffrion was the Predator's first draft choice in the 2006 draft and will finish his college career tomorrow night at 6 p.m. (ESPN) when his Wisconsin Badgers play Boston College in the national championship game. When he suits up for the Preds he will be the first fourth generation NHLer.

I would not be surprised to see Geoffrion sign his entry level contract next week and report to the Predators AHL team in Milwaukee to continue to work out with them and possibly provide a boost in the upcoming playoffs.

Here is the complete release from the Predators...

PREDATORS PROSPECT BLAKE GEOFFRION WINS 2010 HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD -Becomes the first Predators draft pick to win the award-

Nashville, Tenn. (April 9, 2010) – Nashville Predators prospect and University of Wisconsin forward Blake Geoffrion is the recipient of the 2010 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given each year to college hockey’s top player, it was announced Friday evening at Ford Field in Detroit. Criteria for the award include strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

Geoffrion, a tri-captain of this season’s Badger squad, enters tomorrow night’s National Championship Game against Boston College as the NCAA leader in power-play goals (15), in addition to ranking second in the nation in goals (28). He also finished second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in points (50), and is among the nation’s leaders in shooting percentage (23 percent). Two weeks ago, the WCHA First Team All-Star was named Most Valuable Player of the NCAA West Region after posting five points (2g-3a) in UW wins over Vermont and St. Cloud State to reach the Frozen Four, and he notched a goal and an assist in Thursday’s national semifinal victory over RIT.

Nashville’s first choice, 56th overall (second round), in the 2006 Entry Draft, Geoffrion is a complete player. In addition to taking a regular shift for the Badgers, he receives time on both the penalty kill and power play while taking nearly all the team’s face-offs in crucial situations.

The 6-2, 188-pound center is a Consumer Science Major and spends time off the ice visiting UW Children’s Hospital, where he has been a mentor to cancer patients. He’s also a Peer Leader lending assistance to UW students.

The Brentwood, Tenn., native is the first Nashville Youth Hockey League product to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft, and is attempting to be the first-ever fourth generation NHLer. His grandfather, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion and great grandfather, Howie Morenz, are both Hockey Hall-of-Famers who won a combined nine Stanley Cups as members of the Montreal Canadiens. His father, Danny, was drafted eighth overall by the Canadiens in the 1978 Draft, and played for both Montreal and Winnipeg during his career.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass