NickBoston

"St. Louis Blues News"

St. Louis, MO • United States • 27 Years Old • Male

Ian Cole Decides To Stay at Notre Dame

2007 Blues' first round draft pick, and highly-touted defensive prospect Ian Cole has decided to stay at the University of Notre Dame for his Junior year, instead of joining the St. Louis Blues for the upcoming 2009-10 season.

Cole recently had a meeting with General Manager Larry Pleau, Team President John Devidson, and team scout Al MacInnis to discuss his immediate future, while Cole was in town for the Blues' Pro Orientation Camp.

Cole was reportedly mulling back and forth on the decision. He eventually came to the conclusion that staying at Notre Dame for one more year would make him a "more well-rounded and complete player down the road," in an interview with Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier this afternoon.

With Cole returning to the Fighting Irish, this most likely opens the door for last season's first round draft pick, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, to try to win a spot on the Blues' roster going into training camp. Pietrangelo played nine games with the Blues last season before being sent back to Juniors. Pietrangelo was also a member of Team Canada during their run to the championship at last year's IIHF World Junior Championships.




Nick Boston