Three key parts of the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team signed professional contracts Thursday, joining senior goaltender Brian Elliott as the latest members to move up in the ranks.
Junior defenseman Joe Piskula, sophomore forward Jack Skille and senior forward Jake Dowell are all expected to be in NHL camps next fall.
Piskula, 22, signed a multi-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings. In three seasons at UW, he scored three goals and 22 points in 112 games.
Skille, 19, and Dowell, 22, signed Amateur Tryout contracts with the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. It is expected that both will be in training camp with the Chicago Blackhawks at the beginning of the 2007-'08 season.
Skille, a highly touted Badger recruit, was selected seventh overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He had 21 goals in two seasons with UW, none more important than his game-winner in a triple overtime affair against Cornell in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
Dowell, assistant captain this year, led the team with 19 goals. Overall, he registered 42 goals in 159 career games as a Badger.
The loss of Skille and Piskula tentatively leaves the Badgers with 10 forwards, four defensemen and three goaltenders returning for the 2007 season.
Several more Badgers are expected to sign deals in the coming days.
