Today's St. Cloud Times reports that yesterday the Caps inked forward prospect Andrew Gordon of the WCHA's St. Cloud State Huskies to a three-year deal. The account is one hockey fans would do well to peruse, as it's distinctive in empahsizing Gordon's intense struggle to choose between starting his pro career and leaving an ascendent program and teammates he cherished:

"As recent as Friday, Gordon was convinced he wasn't going to change history. Early last week, after conversations with Steve Richmond, the Capitals' director of player personnel, Gordon thought he was staying.

"He asked me straight-up 'Do you want to leave?'" said Gordon, then only a couple of days removed from a 4-1 loss to Maine in SCSU's first NCAA Tournament bid in four years.

"I said I was comfortable staying here. I love the school and being with the guys. It would be good for my development to play more than 20 minutes a night and be on the power play. Their offer wasn't near what we thought it would have to be, so I thought that was it."

"Late last week, however, Gordon got a call from George McPhee, the Caps' vice president and general manager. Their conversation lasted nearly an hour.

"It meant a lot to hear right from the horse's mouth, so to speak, where they see me in their plans," Gordon said.

Gordon was selected by the Caps in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He leaves St. Cloud as just the 9th player in school history to amass 100 points, which he accomplished in just three seasons, and he was named First Team All WCHA this season.