St. Louis Blues Fifth Rounder Luke Opilka to Bypass College, Become Pro

In a rather strange and unexpected turn of events, St. Louis Blues goalie prospect Luke Opilka has decided to leave the University of Wisconsin, where he had already started summer classes, and will play for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League this coming season. The 18-year-old Opilka, who was a fifth-round pick of the Blues in last weekend’s NHL Draft, was expected to compete for the Badgers’ starting goalie position this season.

Opilka, a native of nearby Effingham, Illinois who grew up a devout Blues fan, will be the starting goaltender for Kitchener, so despite his decision to bypass his education, he will get the opportunity to be assured of regular playing time and will be able to play against better competition. Most importantly, he’ll get the opportunity to participate in the Blues’ offseason program, work with goaltending coach Jim Corsi, and attend the team’s training camp for as many years as he stays in juniors.

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Just two days ago, Blues Director of Player Development Tim Taylor had said during an appearance on 101 ESPN in St. Louis that Opilka would be the only Blues draftee not to attend the team’s development camp this weekend, as his summer classes at Wisconsin would preclude him from having time to come to St. Louis and participate in the camp. Now with his adjustment in plans, however, Opilka will be free to attend the camp this year and in years to come.

Opilka will likely be teammates at Kitchener with another native St. Louisan, Ryan MacInnis, who was a second-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in last summer’s draft. MacInnis is the son of Blues legend Al MacInnis and is expected to enter his third season with Kitchener this coming season.

Next: Blues Add Peter Harrold, Jordan Caron on Two-Way Contracts