By Brad Lee
The above pictures are the booking photos for the leading scorers of the University of New Hampshire, Mike Radja, and University of North Dakota, T.J. Oshie. You might also remember that Oshie, 21 and a junior in school, was the first-round pick in the 2005 NHL draft of the St. Louis Blues.
Both were arrested at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday after an altercation in Oshie's on-campus apartment building. According to the Nashua Telegraph, the pair got into a fight in an elevator. What's really interesting is that the fight happened just a few hours after Radja led UNH to a 7-4 win over the Fighting Sioux. Radja had a career high five points in the game. Seems like a good reason for Oshie to kick his ass. Radja has been suspended for two games and Oshie for one following the incident.
You might remember that a year ago Oshie was arrested for being underage in a bar with then teammate Jonathan Toews. He is on probation after pleading guilty in that case, but we doubt this disorderly conduct charge will amount to much as long as he has a decent lawyer. Both cases are misdemeanor arrests.
While it's never a good thing to see a police mug shot of a highly-touted prospect, this does lend credence to the thought that Oshie has a lot of heart and toughness to go along with some offensive skill (he leads UND with nine goals and 16 points in 17 games). If the Blues can get him to turn pro when North Dakota's season ends and the Blues have some meaningful season left to play, he could give a pretty good spark.
Do you think this is a good thing, a bad thing or no big deal?
UPDATE: John Davidson talked to the Post-Dispatch about the incident in a story that ran Friday morning. Here's what J.D. had to say:
"We didn't get into any specifics, but we're glad he called to let me know," Davidson said. "I'm not going to condemn him until we know all the details. It doesn't sound like he robbed a bank."
Davidson was asked if he were concerned about Oshie being involved in two incidents in one year.
"No, he's a good kid," Davidson said. "I know when he does turn pro, we're going to have club rules, and he's going to have to adhere to them"