BGSU’s Ratchuk To Depart For Pros

According to the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune, Falcon defenseman Peter Ratchuk has renounced his three remaining years of NCAA eligibility to sign with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

Ratchuk, a 6-foot, 175-pound native of Buffalo, N.Y., scored nine goals and added 12 assists for Bowling Green in his rookie campaign last season, garnering honorable mention designation on the CCHA all-rookie team. He was selected in the first round (25th overall) by Colorado in the 1996 NHL draft.

Terms of the contract were not available, but Ratchuk’s signing bonus was believed to be around $500,000.