The Thrashers have been particularly busy this Tuesday, signing top draft pick Evander Kane in the morning hours before re-signing defenseman Boris Valabik to a multi-year deal this afternoon. Not all terms of the deal were disclosed, but it will pay the restricted free agent $725,000 next season and $800,000 in 2010-11.
Valabik, 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, has played in 119 games for the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago and was part of the team’s Calder Cup championship in 2008.
Just 23 years of age, Valabik had five assists in 50 games for the Thrashers last season. Valabik represented Slovakia in the 2009 World Championships and was a first-round draft pick (10th overall) of the Thrashers in 2004.
KEEPING THE BALL ROLLING…
The Georgia Bulldogs have been on a tremendous roll along the recruiting trail lately and the rich only got richer on Tuesday, as Frostproof cornerback Nickell Robey gave the Bulldogs his verbal pledge.
Score Atlanta’s partner, Southernpigskin.com, was the first to speak with the 5-8, 170-pound Robey.
“Me and my parents talked about it and prayed about it. The academics were a big reason, coach Mark Richt is a great guy, and coach Richt is a Christian. He has a lot of stability there. There is really no way I can fail. That is what I like about it.” Robey said.
The Florida native represents the 17th player to commit to the Bulldogs in this class and the seventh recruit from Florida to do so. To read more about Robey and his decision, click here.
NO LONGER WELCOMED…
In other Georgia-related recruiting news, as a result of certain events that transpired over the weekend at the team’s Dawg Night, the Georgia coaching staff is no longer welcome on the campus of Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia.
According to reports, Carver head coach Dell McGee has banned the Bulldog coaching staff after they withdrew a scholarship offer to quarterback Devin Burns while he was visiting the UGA campus last Saturday.
“To protect our kids and my program, Georgia won’t be welcome on my campus,” McGee, a former Auburn player, told the GHSFD. “They’re not going to recruit anybody.”
A similar scenario unfolded last year at Tucker high school when Steve Spurrier failed to honor a scholarship offered to then Tucker linebacker Jonathan Davis, who ended up at UCF.
However, while in this case McGee’s fighting words seem like no joke now, such a ban has virtually no realistic chance of remaining in place for an extended period of time.
FIGHTING THE HEAT…
As anyone who follows or participates in sports knows, activities in the summer heat can be extremely dangerous if not approached with caution. Falcons head coach Mike Smith and his wife Julie are also aware of these risks and, as a result, have partnered with Gatorade in a “Beat the Heat” campaign designed to warn parents and athletes about heat-related issues.
“The program is about educating, not just coaches and players, but athletes, children, and parents about heat-related illnesses and the importance of hydration,” Smith said.
According to the 2008 Report on Football Injuries, 33 football players have died from heat stroke since 1995, and the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury says heat stroke is the third leading cause of death among athletes.
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