In the pros: Dineen leads Finnish team with video

Former Tiger captain Nick Dineen‘s pro career has taken off in Mestis, the second-tier Finnish league.

He centers his team’s top line with Aatu Hämäläinen and Pasi Salonen and leads KooKoo with 32 points (15 goals) in 43 games after a slow start.

Dineen has clearly adjusted well to the Finnish league even if the language proves more challenging, judging from the team’s YouTube channel.

Looks like Nick is having fun.

Dineen will sign with ECHL Elmira

Former Tigers captain Nick Dineen, pictured shooting against Minnesota Duluth, used the past couple weeks to heal and focus on finishing his economic degree at Colorado College.

Former Tiger captain Nick Dineen is flying to Elmira, N.Y. Thursday morning to sign his first professional contract and start his career with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals, the Atlantic Division champions.

Dineen said the coach told him to plan on making his debut Friday against the Reading (Pa.) Royals in the first of the final two regular-season games.

“It all happened pretty quickly from 8 p.m. (Tuesday) on,” he said Wednesday afternoon. “Elmira called and needed a center. They are a first-place team and need me to play right away. I felt I was ready to go. It was an easy decision.”

Dineen said the amateur tryout deal lasts for the rest of this season, meaning he will be a free agent against this offseason.

Dineen was slowed by a tweaked knee sustained during his first shift on March 2 against Michigan Tech, he said, but now feels ready to resume playing. The economics major also used the last couple weeks to finish up his classwork.

“I feel a lot better,” he said.

Dineen is the fifth of the six Tiger seniors to move on to the pros. Arthur Bidwill (CHL Allen), David Civitarese (AHL Hershey), Gabe Guentzel (AHL Syracuse) and Tim Hall (ECHL Alaska) have all signed deals.

Dineen recorded 67 career points (34g, 33a) in 140 games as a Tiger, including 26 points (14g, 12a) in 34 games as a senior.

Fejes excited to be coming to CC this fall

Image taken from Hunter Fejes' Facebook profile.

Hunter Fejes, listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds by his prep school, is excited to be headed to play hockey at Colorado College this fall.

“I see myself as a power forward that is responsible in all three zones of the ice,” he said via a Facebook message. “I am a gritty player that is willing to go to the net. I am also a good skater.”

In his fifth season playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s of Faribault, Minn., the high school senior has 69 points (36 assists) in 49 games. That makes him tied for first in goals on Shattuck, and second in points.

He’s looking forward to coming to Colorado Springs after a recent visit.

“I chose CC because it was a unique place,” he said. “The campus was very nice, and the atmosphere reminded me of Alaska. When I was there the teammates were great. They created a good environment for me to develop and grow as a player and a person.”

He is eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft, where he is projected to go in the third through fifth rounds since he is on the Central Scouting’s preliminary ‘B’ list. Here is some more info from his hometown newspaper.