Foley forgoes senior season at Providence, signs NHL deal with Blues

Erik Foley (PC - 12) - The University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks defeated the Providence College Friars 2-1 at 12:27 of the third overtime in their Hockey East semi-final meeting on Friday, March 18, 2016, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Melissa Wade)
Providence’s Erik Foley registered a team-best 35 points over the course of the 2017-18 season (photo: Melissa Wade).

The St. Louis Blues announced Thursday that the club has signed Providence junior forward to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Foley was acquired by the Blues along with a first-round pick from the Winnipeg Jets in a trade deadline deal that sent Paul Stastny to Winnipeg.

The deal will begin with the 2018-19 season, and Foley will report to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage on an amateur tryout contract following a medical evaluation in St. Louis.

A third-round pick of the Jets in 2015 (78th overall), Foley led the Friars with 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 38 regular-season games to earn Hockey East First All-Star Team honors.

In 110 career games at PC, Foley recorded 38 goals and 50 assists for 88 points, with 79 penalty minutes.

He represented Team USA at the 2017 World Junior Championship, where he helped the United States capture gold.