According to the L.A. Times, Mike Cammalleri informed the L.A. Kings last
week that he was planning on leaving Michigan and using the "Van Ryn Rule"
to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, thus forcing L.A. to sign
him or lose him.

With the Kings not wanting to lose one of their top prospects, they bumped
up their offer and signed Cammalleri to a three-year deal worth $3.15
million. The deal includes a signing bonus of over $1 million to be paid
over the first two seasons.

"I had a few options that I was looking over," Cammalleri told the Times.
"Obviously signing with L.A. was one of them. To do it is really exciting
for me. ... It has always been my dream to play in the National Hockey League."

Instead of spending a year in the Ontario Hockey League, Cammalleri stands
a good chance of playing on one of L.A.'s top two lines next season,
possibly with Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh.

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Well, if you're looking for something amusing after all the news this week,
the Cammalleri thread on USCHO has turned into the "who's leaving Michigan
next?" thread. Here are some suggestions:

"I just heard Eric Nystrom is leaving to start up a lawn sprinkler business
with his dad in the Hamptons. Can anyone confirm that?" - Sundance

"Someone find Jed Ortmeyer and NAIL HIM to Red's desk. Please. Or he'll be
heading back to Omaha to raise veal." - E. Gray

"Johnny is joining his family grocery business, Milan will be dancing with
a local ethnic group (did you see the talent show?), Swisser will practice
law w/three years at Mich.under his belt - that's long enough, don't you
think? - Mink is joining an animal rights group banning the use of mink in
coats, Burnes defected to his parents' alma matre, MSU, Woodwood is selling
cars with his Dad in Boston and the three new goalies have jumped ship to
Wayne State." - Glennww3

My suggestions are Jeff Tambellini jumping straight to Vancouver through a
loophole with his father, and Al Montoya decides to forego his freshman
year so he can actually have a senior year in high school. Thus, since the
Pep Band will be the only ones showing up with jerseys next year, I hope
they know how to skate!

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/