Checking in with Quinnipiac

As of now, Quinnipiac junior forward Scott Zurevinski is planning to return to school in the fall. But he hasn't closed the door on the NHL, either. Zurevinski will continue to listen to suitors throughout the summer, perhaps right up to Aug. 25, when the fall semester at Quinnipiac begins. Last spring, Zurevinski turned down an offer from the Vancouver Canucks that would have paid him the maximum allowable money under the team's salary cap -- a significant chunk of change.

The Quinnipiac schedule is set for next season. Sort of. The opponents are all lined up, and the dates pretty much etched into place. But the school is still working on some television games and other issues that could change a few dates. Rather than release a tentative schedule, Quinnipiac would rather wait until things are finalized. Here are the non-conference opponents, which we first reported back in February: at Nebraska-Omaha (2); at Ohio State (2); at Robert Morris (2); vs. Canisius (2); vs. Holy Cross; vs. Sacred Heart; vs. Bentley; vs. Massachusetts.

Finally, here's a little news on Quinnipiac's incoming recruiting class. Matt Peca, a forward for Pembroke of the Central Canada Junior Hockey League, helped lead his team to the Royal Bank Cup this weekend. Pembroke upset Vernon in the championship game. The Cup is the the national championship for Junior 'A' teams in Canada, and Vernon, which has won four titles since the tournament began in 1996, is the equivalent of the New York Yankees in Canadian Junior hockey. Peca, who had 72 points during the regular season, was named to the all-tournament team.

Peca is one of six players enrolling at Quinnipiac this fall, though only five will be eligible for the upcoming season. Jack Callahan, a defenseman for Springfield of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, and defenseman Dan Federico of the Boston Junior Bruins (EJHL), Bryce Van Brabant, a center for Spruce Grove of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and Michael Gartieg, a goalie for Powell River of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League will also skate for the Bobcats. The most intriguing recruit is 6-foot-7, 244-pound goalie John Nauta, who played for the New Jersey Hitmen of the EJHL last winter. Nauta spent some time in the Quebec Major Junior League, which cost him a season of college eligibility. He'll be taking classes this year, but unable to play until the 2012-13 season.