Prospect Corey Tropp Signed

[That Aud Smell]

EDIT: here's the link on the signing: Tropp signed.

 

Report on Tropp's 2009 suspension.

 

for those who can't click through:

 

MSU hockey players Corey Tropp, Andrew Conboy suspended for season; Steve Kampfer's father apologizes for confronting MSU player

 

Published: Monday, January 26, 2009, 5:40 PM Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 1:19 AM

 

Michigan State University suspended hockey players Andrew Conboy and Corey Tropp for the rest of the season Monday evening after their attack of Michigan defenseman Steve Kampfer during the teams' game at Yost Ice Arena on Saturday night.

 

Earlier Monday, Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson identified Bruce Kampfer, father of Wolverines junior defenseman Steve Kampfer, as the person who physically confronted Tropp in the Spartans' locker room just before the game ended.

 

In the wake of that spectator-player incident, Michigan formed a task force and is changing its security policy at the visitors' locker room at Yost.

 

With 53 seconds remaining in Michigan's 5-3 victory Saturday, Kampfer, a junior, was clothes-lined and punched from behind by Conboy along the boards. As Kampfer lay motionless on the ice, Tropp whacked at Kampfer's neck area with his stick. Moments earlier, Kampfer had knocked Tropp off his feet with what appeared to be a clean open-ice hit.

 

"What happened near the end of the game this weekend is not the way in which we want our hockey program represented," Michigan State coach Rick Comley stated in a prepared release by MSU. "We cannot condone their actions. We felt that we had to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated."

 

 

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association, of which Michigan State and Michigan are members, had been investigating the incident and supported the university's decision. The players will sit out the Spartans' final 10 regular-season games, plus the playoffs.

 

"We feel that the measures taken by Michigan State are appropriate and consistent with the parameters of the sanctions that were being contemplated by the league," CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos stated in a prepared release Monday night.

 

Tropp was ejected from the game after being assessed a five-minute major penalty for slashing, two 10-minute misconducts and a double game-disqualification. Conboy was given a double minor roughing penalty.

 

About a half hour after the game, Kampfer, who on Oct. 12 sustained a fractured skull during an off-ice assault, was placed on a gurney with a brace around his neck and transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He was released Sunday morning and said Monday that he had a sprained neck and did not sustain a concussion. He did not practice with the team Monday. He had returned to action with the team on Dec. 27.

 

Kampfer, of Jackson, said he was scheduled to undergo a few more medical evaluations before returning to the ice. He anticipated skating again on Tuesday or Wednesday and playing this weekend against top-ranked Notre Dame.

 

Berenson, talking after practice Monday afternoon at Yost, said Bruce Kampfer called him over the weekend and apologized for his actions, which occurred before the game ended at Yost Ice Arena. According to Diane Brown, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman, a 48-year-old man from Jackson was detained and escorted from the arena after confronting a player in the visitors' locker room.

 

Bruce Madej, Michigan's associate athletic director for media relations, gave members of the media a walk-through at Yost and explained how Bruce Kampfer gained access to the Spartans' locker room during the final minute of play.

 

Here's Madej's explanation:

 

• A person serving as a event staff worker was standing just outside a holding area blocked off to fans by a large curtain. That area, created to make more space and provide a cushion between players and fans, is located directly in front of the visitors' locker room door.

 

• When the first player - Tropp, a sophomore forward, who was ejected after slashing Steve Kampfer in the neck - came off the ice, the event staff worker's job was to leave his assigned area at the curtain and greet the player as he stepped off the ice and escort him to the locker room door behind the curtain.

 

• When a second player came off the ice - freshman Conboy, after being assessed a 2-minute roughing penalty; there were 53 seconds left in the game, meaning there was no need for him to sit in the penalty box - the event staff worker again left his spot at the entrance to escort him to the locker room.

 

• A moment after the worker left his spot to aid Conboy, Bruce Kampfer walked through the curtain unchecked, walked into the locker room and went after Tropp before DPS officers were called in for assistance.

 

Bruce Kampfer did not return phone calls left at his home.

 

Said Berenson: "I can't coach the parents. I called coach Comley and I apologized for the security around the bench and around the locker room. ... We've had no incidents up until now in the back locker room. That's why we put the locker room there, so there'd be no crossover of players and fans, and no skirmishes at the end of games or between periods. So it's been fine. But obviously we need ... they're dealing with it."

 

According to a prepared statement by Mike Stevenson, executive athletic director at Michigan, new security procedures will be in place at the visitors' locker room for future games. He said a credential will be required for anyone entering the locker room, and there will be an increase in presence by DPS.

 

On Monday evening, Brown said DPS was still investigating the incident. She said its findings could be forwarded to the county prosecutor's office once the university's investigation is complete.

 

Kevin Ryan can be reached at kryan@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6812.

 

© 2010 MLive.com. All rights reserved.

[shrader]

They saw plenty of each other already this past season, but with Kampfer playing in Providence now, those two will meet up on the ice quite a bit.

[inkman]

Not sure where my opinion falls on this kid but it's leaning toward "like".

[SabresneedaCup]

haha that crazy ###### tried to slash him in the neck? sounds like nobody is gonna mess with the sabres anymore.

[shrader]

haha that crazy ###### tried to slash him in the neck? sounds like nobody is gonna mess with the sabres anymore.

 

He gave a little swipe after Kampfer was down. I wouldn't say that he was aiming for any specific spot. Quite honestly, he played little role in the whole situation. His actions were nothing more than a bitch move. He took an extra swipe at a guy who was already knocked down and out by his scumbag teammate. Anyone who suddenly likes Tropp more because of this, first of all, is a fool, and second, should actually take a look at the video and see for themselves.

 

And I don't want this to be read as me ripping the kid apart. Personally, I think it was a moment of stupidity where his emotions got the best of him. He wasn't trying to target a pre-existing injury. It also doesn't make him the tough guy savior that so much of this board seems to want every single play to be.

[Bullwinkle]

He gave a little swipe after Kampfer was down. I wouldn't say that he was aiming for any specific spot. Quite honestly, he played little role in the whole situation. His actions were nothing more than a bitch move. He took an extra swipe at a guy who was already knocked down and out by his scumbag teammate. Anyone who suddenly likes Tropp more because of this, first of all, is a fool, and second, should actually take a look at the video and see for themselves.

 

And I don't want this to be read as me ripping the kid apart. Personally, I think it was a moment of stupidity where his emotions got the best of him. He wasn't trying to target a pre-existing injury. It also doesn't make him the tough guy savior that so much of this board seems to want every single play to be.

 

The highlight is almost exactly what Bertuzzi said after assaulting Steve Moore.

 

Great! Kassian can now have a cell mate.

[shrader]

The highlight is almost exactly what Bertuzzi said after assaulting Steve Moore.

 

Great! Kassian can now have a cell mate.

 

Have you actually seen the incident?

[wonderbread]

Have you actually seen the incident?

 

 

Why would one want to see the video when they could form an opinion based on person feelings only. :wallbash:

[Bullwinkle]

Why would one want to see the video when they could form an opinion based on person feelings only. :wallbash:

 

 

Exactly!

 

But you're right Shrader. However did you see the other numerous penalties he received aside from the slash? I think his record speaks louder than any particular incident. Obviously this kid has anger problems.

[That Aud Smell]

Have you actually seen the incident?

since i gratuitously invited the kassian cell mate talk, i will weigh in: it struck me as a weird incident in terms of its "non-hockey" violence. i'm willing to give the kid a mulligan, but i can't say it's something that i would dismiss lightly either.

 

in the event it helps anyone, here it is (again):

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI-sYE1DsMs

 

i think it would have been less disturbing if tropp had slashed the michigan player in the head/neck without conboy's involvement.

[Bullwinkle]

The slash was very deliberate and not "light". Had he hit the puck, it would have been a very hard wrist shot. And it did look deliberate.

 

So is Conboy now on Darcy's Must Pick list?

[wjag]

After viewing the video, I have formed an opinion. The punishment to Tropp was beyond excessive. Condone what he did? Heck no. But they essentially threw the book at him for a very ill advised slash.

[nobody]

Let's focus on what he did this past season:

 

Tropp (7/25/1989, 6’, 186 lbs.) led the Spartans in scoring this season with a career-high 42 points (20+22) in 37 games, and was ranked among the nation’s leaders in goals, PPG (9) and GWG (5). For his efforts, Tropp was named Michigan State’s Team MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player in 2009-10

[shrader]

Exactly!

 

But you're right Shrader. However did you see the other numerous penalties he received aside from the slash? I think his record speaks louder than any particular incident. Obviously this kid has anger problems.

 

50 PIM over 37 games. The goon!

[shrader]

After viewing the video, I have formed an opinion. The punishment to Tropp was beyond excessive. Condone what he did? Heck no. But they essentially threw the book at him for a very ill advised slashed.

 

It wouldn't have happened if Kampfer's father hadn't gone after him. That created the whole line of thought that Tropp was gunning for his head and the previous skull injury. MSU pretty much had no choice.

 

Let's focus on what he did this past season:

 

Tropp (7/25/1989, 6’, 186 lbs.) led the Spartans in scoring this season with a career-high 42 points (20+22) in 37 games, and was ranked among the nation’s leaders in goals, PPG (9) and GWG (5). For his efforts, Tropp was named Michigan State’s Team MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player in 2009-10

 

And also when he came back for his junior season, the team selected him to wear an A. There's no way the players and coaches follow through on that if there are questions of his attitude.

[That Aud Smell]

Let's focus on what he did this past season:

 

Tropp (7/25/1989, 6’, 186 lbs.) led the Spartans in scoring this season with a career-high 42 points (20+22) in 37 games, and was ranked among the nation’s leaders in goals, PPG (9) and GWG (5). For his efforts, Tropp was named Michigan State’s Team MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player in 2009-10

 

appreciate all of that -- god willing, he can develop into our much sought-after top-6 forward who plays with jam/edge.

[Bullwinkle]

OK, I'm big enough to admit when I'm wrong...and upon further examination it appears as if I was wrong about him.

 

Although nothing has changed my mind regarding Kassian.

[SabresneedaCup]

haha tropp pushed the ref too.

[DonInBuffalo]

I'm confused. The linked article said that Tropp finished his junior season at Michigan State, but then talked about his college career referring to it in the past tense. Where is Tropp going to play next season? Is he going to finish his college career, or does signing a contract mean he's finished with school and will be playing in Portland next season?

[deluca67]

The highlight is almost exactly what Bertuzzi said after assaulting Steve Moore.

 

Great! Kassian can now have a cell mate.

Don't worry, Ruff will coach any passion and aggression right out of them. In no time they will be joining Miller and Gaustad's band playing the tambourine wind-flute.

[thesportsbuff]

Don't worry, Ruff will coach any passion and aggression right out of them. In no time they will be joining Miller and Gaustad's band playing the tambourine wind-flute.

 

When I first started posting here on a regular basis I hated your negativity but now that I realize how right you've been posts like these are hilarious. Rep+ :worthy:

[inkman]

I'm confused. The linked article said that Tropp finished his junior season at Michigan State, but then talked about his college career referring to it in the past tense. Where is Tropp going to play next season? Is he going to finish his college career, or does signing a contract mean he's finished with school and will be playing in Portland next season?

That is precisely correct, once the contract is signed he's a professional. I'm guessing he'll spend a year or two in Portland before he's sees Sabres gear. Maybe he'll wow eveyone and make the team.

[Mbossy]

I did see Tropp make a couple good hard hits at Dwyer. Those and the sweet one timer from Foligno to Legace are two I wish I got on those videos. Legace's shot was like a M-80 went off in the Arena.

[deluca67]

When I first started posting here on a regular basis I hated your negativity but now that I realize how right you've been posts like these are hilarious. Rep+ :worthy:

Welcome to the dark side. :thumbsup:

[PASabreFan]

Don't worry, Ruff will coach any passion and aggression right out of them. In no time they will be joining Miller and Gaustad's band playing the tambourine wind-flute.

 

Don't forget Stafford on the air guitar.