On Thursday, the San Jose Sharks announced the signing of forward Collin Graf to a standard entry-level contract.
The contract activates for the upcoming 2023-24 season, bolstering the team roster with promising talent.
As a sophomore in the 2022-23 season, Graf contributed to the Bobcats’ NCAA national championship win.
In the 2023-24 NCAA season, Graf played 34 games, logging 22 goals and 27 assists for Quinnipiac University. The Eastern College Athletic Conference league named the forward Player of the Year for his past season.
The 21-year-old Graf has scored 20 goals in each of the last two seasons, averaging over a point per game. In his final 75 NCAA games, the former free agent tallied 108 points, averaging approximately 1.44 points per game.
Concluding his college hockey tenure, Graf earned 130 points (54 goals, 76 assists) across 112 games.
Graf has been a two-time nominee for the Hobey Baker Award, which recognizes the best player in NCAA men’s hockey.
Per The Athletic’s Michael Russo, approximately 25 teams showed interest in Graf, who had narrowed his options to six teams.
Graf is set to join the Sharks roster immediately for the current 2023-24 season. Team Teal could utilize his talents in a top line to maximize his offensive opportunities and support his development.
As the franchise actively recruits an influx of young talent, it signals a commitment to rebuilding for future success.
The current average age for the Sharks’ roster is 27 years old. With a wave of promising prospects aged 19-21, the team is set to become notably younger in the coming seasons.
Acquired assets include a 2024 1st round pick (from PIT), 2025 1st round pick (from VGK), and 2024 2nd round pick (from NJD). These acquisitions, alongside experienced veterans mentoring younger players, could greatly benefit the team’s rebuild and development process.
Playing limited games this season, Captain Logan Couture’s potential return next year offers hope for restoring leadership to the team.
With seven games remaining in the season, it will be interesting to see Graf’s potential role on a Sharks’ line. Sharks have four games at home and three on the road to finish the season. They take on the St. Louis Blues at home on Saturday.
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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
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