Union forward Josh Jooris has given up his senior season with the Dutchmen for an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames, according to the Daily Gazette.
The 23-year-old Jooris leaves Union after scoring 29 goals and adding 59 assists for 88 points in 117 career games.
“I think shocked and stunned has been used a lot recently, especially in college hockey,” said Union coach Rick Bennett to the Gazette. “In this day in the National Hockey League [with] signings and everything that’s been going on with college hockey and their collective bargaining agreement, I’m not shocked on stunned at all that Josh has signed.
“I don’t think it’s the best timing in the world when you lose one of your top centers this late in the game, but he’s going to fulfill his dreams of signing a National Hockey League deal. That’s what he and his family wanted and that’s what they got.”
Jooris is the second Union player this offseason to leave early, following junior goalie Troy Grosenick, who inked with the San Jose Sharks in April.
