David Pope's senior year in college is going to be the most important one of his hockey career.
The Detroit Red Wings drafted Pope in 2013 but after one final season in the British Columbia Hockey League, he decided to play college hockey rather than going the major junior route.
That means the Red Wings still own Pope's rights until 30 days after he leaves school. So if Pope wants to earn an entry level contract, he's going to have show some promise this season for the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Pope, who was drafted in the fourth round (109th overall), took a step in that direction last season by scoring 13 goals to go with 18 assists and a minus-1 rating in 34 games for the Mavericks.