So far there has been several college free agents signed by NHL teams.
The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Cam Schilling from Miami of Ohio to a two year entry level contract. The 23 year old defensive-minded defenseman recorded 1 goal along with 13 assists in his senior year in 39 games. In his four years of college hockey at Miami of Ohio, Schilling recorded 8 goals and 49 assists. The Washington Capitals signed him because of his defensive capabilities as the 6'2'', 197 pound defenseman could blossom as an NHL player. With his size and strength he is exactly what the Capitals need in the future on the backend. He is reporting to Hersey of the American Hockey League and his 2 year entry level contract starts next year.
University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs senior; Travis Oleksuk signed a two year entry level contract with the San Jose Sharks. He told San Jose that he planned on finishing his degree and graduating in May and then he would report to Worcester of the American Hockey League to begin the 2012-13 season. The 23 year old center, from Thunder Bay, Ontario had a great season offensively as he recorded 21 goals and 32 assists in 41 games. He was second in team scoring. After four year of college hockey he recorded 115 points in 134 games. He tied a school record with 15 career game winning goals and was named to the all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association third team. In 2011, he assisted on the game winning goal of the Frozen Four Final to lead the Bulldogs to their first ever NCAA championship in men's hockey.
The Leafs made their annual splash into the college free agent market by signed University of Maine forward, Spencer Abbott. Abbott had an incredible offensive season as he led all division 1 NCAA hockey players in the USA with 62 points in 39 games. He scored 21 goals and added 41 assists. The 23 year old from Hamilton, Ontario played four years at the university of Maine, racking up 146 points over those fours years. His great year was noticed by everyone involved with NCAA hockey, as he was named to the Hockey East first all-star team, with the likes of Rangers prospect; Chris Kreider only making the second team, so it is obvious Abbott has great skill. He was named as one of the top ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award which goes to the most valuable mens hockey player in the NCAA. Earlier today, it was announced that he is one of the final three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award along with Jack Connolly from Minnesota-Duluth and Austin Smith from Colgate. He is reporting the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and will join them for their push, which just got stronger because of him, for the Calder Cup. The San Jose Sharks were at it again when they announced they had signed the third year defenseman; Matt Tennyson from Western Michigan University. He was the top offensive defenseman on the Broncos who anchored the power-play. He notched 11 goals to go along with 13 assists in 41 games. He was the Bronco's third leading goal scorer and eight of those eleven goals came on the power-play. The 22 year old offensive-minded defenseman tallied 22 goals and 32 assists in 117 games in three years at WMU. This year he worked a lot with trainers to establish a solid defensive game and now he is a much more dependable player on the back-end in all situations. He will report to Worcester of the American Hockey League.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed sophomore winger; J.T. Brown to a two year entry level contract. Bolts GM; Steve Yzerman is very high on the 21 year old prospect. "He has all the top characteristics we look for in a player, including high skill and compete levels," GM Steve Yzerman said. "We're glad he chose to play for the Lightning and we look forward to getting him in the lineup as quickly as possible." In his second season with Minnesota-Duluth, Brown notched 24 goals and 23 assists in 39 games. He led his team in goal scoring. In his freshman year Brown had 37 points in 42 games. In the two years combined, Brown recorded 84 points in 81 games. Last year he was a member of the National Championship winning team with Minnesota-Duluth and he was named the tournaments most outstanding player. Brown will report to the Tampa Bay Lightning this week and is expected to play in an NHL game later this week or early next week. Brown was viewed as one of the best college free agents and Yzerman is thrilled to have him on his team. The Buffalo Sabres made their mark by signing University of Maine forward; Brian Flynn to a one year entry level contract. Flynn was second in team scoring and ninth in the country with 18 goals and 30 assists in 40 games. The senior notched 156 points over his four years at Maine. The 23 year old who stands at 6'1'' finished his collegiate career ranking 11th on Maine all-time scoring list. Flynn will report to the Rochester, the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. His one year contract does not come into effect until the 2012-13 season.
With Steve Mason going down with an injury the Blue Jackets need a quick answer to back up Allen York so they quickly signed 5'7'' goaltender; Shawn Hunwick to a amateur tryout but he was later signed to a one year contract to finish the rest of the season with the Blue Jackets to either backup York or Mason. Hunwick is the brother of Colorado Avalanche defenseman; Matt. Shawn Hunwick played four years at the University of Michigan finishing off his collegiate career with a great season. He went 24-12-3 with a 2.00 GAA, .932 save percentage and 5 shutouts. For Shawn the call to the NHL was a wild experience as he had to miss his Astronomy 101 class on Wednesday so he could get drive to the rink and practice for the game that night. The Blue Jackets have been having problems with injuries with their goaltenders all year so they are hoping this will help them out.
There will be more college signings to come most likely, these are just the several collegiate players who have been signed so far.
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