Ian Cole, the 18th overall draft pick in the 2007 NHL draft, told the Blues today that he is going back to Notre Dame for his junior year.

I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong. After last week’s Pro Orientation camp, I felt Cole would turn pro.

“It was a very tough decision,” Cole said. “The Blues were great about it, more than hospitable. But I thought that staying in school another year would put me another year closer to getting my degree, and it would be another year of maturity. Honestly, I think going back to school will make me a much more well-rounded and complete player down the road.”

More on this story later . . .

JR