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Senior leaves early to pursue NHL career

July 20, 2004

MSU hockey's Brock Radunske has decided to forfeit his remaining year of eligibility in order to pursue a career with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.

The senior left-winger inked a three-year deal with the Oilers in Toronto late Monday afternoon.

Although the announcement came a bit earlier than some expected, Radunske's father, Bob Radunske, said to him, his son's decision was anything but a surprise.

"I think he made (the decision) back during this summer," Bob Radunske said. "It's always been a goal of his to be a pro hockey player.

"He was in town last weekend attending a friend's wedding and things just came together for him then."

Radunske added his son said he still would pursue a college degree through summer school and correspondence.

As a Spartan, Brock Radunske compiled 27 goals and 37 points in 119 career games. The New Hamburg, Ontario, native appeared in all 42 games last season for the Spartans, chalking up 12 goals and 10 assists to rank fifth on MSU's scoring list.

During his junior year, he netted a career-high four points on two different occasions, scoring two goals and adding two assists versus Wayne State and Michigan Tech.

The 6-foot-4, 196-pound forward also spent 118 career minutes in the penalty box - 60 minutes alone in 2003, good for second on the team.

Radunske was selected by Edmonton in the third round (79th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

"The whole hockey experience was great for him; being a Canadian boy, it was really something he valued," Bob Radunske said.

Radunske added his son was a little emotional about leaving his fellow Spartans behind as he moved on.

"Getting signed is one thing, but playing on a hockey team is being part of a family, and now he's leaving part of family," Radunske said. "But I think the other players understand. A lot of them have similar goals.

"After three years of playing there, if you want to be a pro, you have to stimulate yourself to move toward your goal."

Brock Radunske could not be reached for comment Monday night.

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