Last time on the NCAA Update, we got you inside with news from College Hockey America, and a couple of coaching contract extensions. This week's update, we have a player who was previously recruited by Wisconsin who went elsewhere, a key player from a Frozen Four team last year went pro, and a top draft pick has decided to remain in school.

Wisconsin Recruit De-commits, Heads to Denver:

In a report by Todd Milewski on his blog called The Ice House from The Capital Times (newspaper out of Madison, WI), Milewski reported that Wisconsin recruit Patrick Wiercioch de-committed from Wisconsin and signed a National Letter of Intent at the University of Denver.

The article was very interesting to read. It stated that there was speculation after the NHL Entry Draft that Wiercioch wanted out of college and go to Juniors. Instead, we get this news. Part of his decision was because of the David Carle, who had his career ended, but yet he was still drafted. Carle was a Denver recruit who was drafted in the seventh round (pick 203) by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Wiercioch was a second round (pick 42) by the Ottawa Senators.

Click here to read Milewski’s blog about this whole situation...

Max Pacioretty leaves Michigan for NHL:

A first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2007, Pacioretty left Michigan after one season to join the Habs. In his swan song with the Wolverines, the 6-foot-2 left winger scored 15 goals and added 24 assists (39 points) en route to becoming the CCHA Rookie of the Year.

Don’t count out Michigan however next year. Red Berenson’s club will still be an elite team, with players such as goaltender Billy Sauer and defenseman Mark Mitera (assuming they stay) coming in as leaders, and forwards such as Aaron Palushaj and a sleeper in Travis Turnbull have the potential of stepping up in the scoring department like we saw in 2007-08.

Even with Pacioretty gone, Michigan should still be the slight favorite in the CCHA with Notre Dame slightly behind them. It will be interesting to see what happens when the Coaches and Media Polls come out in September.

With the departure of Pacioretty, 24 underclassmen have now left to sign a pro contract.

Colin Wilson staying for sophomore campaign:

The top college player taken in this year’s draft, Colin Wilson (seventh overall to Nashville) will return for his sophomore year, according to many sources within the Nashville Predators organization and sources within Boston University. With this move, look for BU to challenge for the league title.

Overall, anything could’ve happened here. Rumors swirled that Nashville didn’t want to pay the maximum rookie salary or that scouts would say Wilson needed another year to develop. This could be the best move for Wilson, we will wait and see.

And finally, a little research on current college players who have been drafted (who are still playing college hockey). With Pacioretty leaving, Michigan now has 14 players, which is now second to North Dakota (who will have 15 players drafted by an NHL team).

Other numbers to point out include: Boston University with 13, Minnesota with 12, Boston College and Wisconsin each with 11, and surprisingly Notre Dame (seven) has fewer draftees than Clarkson and Denver, who each have eight and are tied with Ohio State, who also has seven draftees.

With that update we are now 77 days away from the first puck drop in college hockey.

Contact the author: trosenthal@insidehockey.com