I think what everyone needs to realize is that these kids lifelong 
dream is to play in the NHL.  Dustin has a huge upside, he has great 
hands, throws off checks, and most importantly he has size.  Anaheim 
realized that by making an offer now they would put themselves in a 
better position, rather than bidding next year with several teams 
especially if he had a big season.  Dustin gets a 3 year contract, and 
avoids the risk of a subpar season or an injury next year having an 
impact on his value.

Ever since Mario Thyer came back after his freshman year, turning aside 
a number of suitors, only to break his leg in the 2nd or 3rd game of 
the year I have never criticized a player for leaving early.  Guys have 
to do what is best for them, they can always finish their education 
later.

Dustin was a joy to watch, he would have been an enormous cog in the 
wheel next year, personally I think we will be seeing him in the NHL in 
the next year or two.

Bob Fitta '83
On May 14, 2004, at 9:07 AM, james acheson wrote:

> what is odd is that he has a long way to go.
>  
> look at Barrett Heisten, surely much more polised the day he walking 
> onto the Alfond ice than Penner was the day after he lost to Denver.  
> Heisten  may never grow as tall, but I bet a million bucks he will 
> always hit harder and be a hell of alot harder to knock off his skates 
> than Penner... and Heisten handles the puck infinitely better then 
> Penner ... and there was nothing ODD about Heisten leaving Maine... he 
> was ready to go.  Penner has a long way to go... he will not even be a 
> good AHLer yet in my opinion.
>
> "Voisine, Cory" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Nothing odd about it at all. He has about 4 inches and 30 lbs. on most 
> college players. He's got the frame for the pros. He skated well and 
> had good hands. Pro teams like the potential of a guy like that. He 
> also had one year of eligibility left and was undrafted, therefore he 
> had a slight amount of bargain power on his size. He played well on a 
> big stage. All things were lining up, and it would have been "ODD" if 
> the pros didn't notice him. Imagine there were several pro teams 
> interested in Penner as a minor-pro 3 year project.
>  
> -Cory
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of james acheson
> Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:32 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Penner Goes Pro
>
> that is ODD... I thought he was the ONE guy on the team who would have 
> benefitted from another year in college.  he is nowhere near ready for 
> the pros.  He was able to stick handle and deke out a couple guys only 
> to lose control   or hav the puck taken away by teh one last 
> defenseman he needed to beat in order to get a scoring opportunity... 
> about 3 times a game.  he cannot finish... not yet, not like Niko did.
>  
> oh well.
>
>
> Deron Treadwell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> http://www.goblackbears.com/hockeym/20032004/051204.html
>
> May 12, 2004
> ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS SIGN DUSTIN PENNER
> ORONO, Maine - The Anaheim Mighty Ducks announced today that they have
> signed University of Maine forward Dustin Penner to a three-year
> contract. Contract terms were not disclosed.
>
> Penner, a 6-4, 230, ended the season with eleven goals and twelve
> assists for 23 points in 43 games played in his junior year. Five of
> his goals were on the power play. He also had 18 penalties for 52
> minutes. He helped the Black Bears reach the NCAA championship game,
> scoring the game-winning goal against Boston College in the semifinals.
> He also scored Maine's first goal in the three-overtime Hockey East
> Championship game victory against Massachusetts. At the Maine Hockey
> Awards banquet last week, he was named recipient of the Jack Semler
> ! ! Most Improved Player Award.
>
> The 21-year old native of Winkler, Manitoba native sat out the 2002-03
> season as a redshirt. He transferred to Maine from Minot State
> University-Bottineau, where he played in 23 games and had 23 points. He
> also had earned MVP honors from his high school team.
>
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