T.J. Oshie returning to North Dakota for junior year

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — T.J. Oshie says he will return to the University of North Dakota for his junior season instead of signing a three-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.

“It was hard turning down the money, but that’s not the most important thing,” Oshie said Wednesday. “Being here the last two years — they’ve been the best of my life. I’ve made a lot of great friendships and our team has a close, family mentality. It would be tough to give that up.”

The Warroad, Minn., native said the Blues, who made him their first-round draft pick in 2005, made no formal offer when he told team officials he had decided to come back to UND.

“St. Louis made this hard because I loved what I saw there,” Oshie said. “But they weren’t forcing me to go one way or another. They were comfortable with whatever decision I made. I decided the route I want to take and it feels good to know they are going to support me.”

Oshie had 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 points in 43 games. He was a third-team all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association selection this season. UND made it to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament in St. Louis but lost in the semifinals to Boston College.