Northeastern star Tyler Madden has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings, it was announced Monday.
The Deerfield Beach, Fla., native will forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility to pursue his NHL dreams. A broken finger caused him to miss the final seven games of the 2019-20 season. In 27 games, he scored 19 goals and added 18 assists.
Just how valuable was Madden to Northeastern’s success this past season? With him in the lineup, Jim Madigan’s squad was 16-8-3; without him, 2-5.
Madden had a propensity to score big goals for the Huskies, including the overtime winner against Boston University in the first round of the 2019 Beanpot. He’ll finish his Northeastern career with 31 goals and 34 assists in 63 games.
As far as Madden’s pro future is concerned, he’ll have to bulk up and become a better player away from the puck. With the puck on his stick, his skill and offensive instincts are lethal.
Originally a third-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft, Madden’s rights were traded to Los Angeles in February.
Providence trio returning
New England Hockey Journal has learned that defenseman Michael Callahan, center Type Thompson and left wing Greg Printz will all return to Providence for the 2020-21 season. All three were considered potential flight risks to sign NHL contracts.
Callahan, a Franklin, Mass., native, served as the captain of the Friars this past season as a sophomore. An always reliable defensive defenseman, he has begun to find an offensive element in his game. In 34 games this season, the Roxbury Latin alum had five goals and 23 assists. A 2018 fifth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, Callahan’s return is welcome news for Providence.
Thompson will be back for his junior season after an underrated sophomore season. Although classmate and leading scorer Jack Dugan got much of the accolades, Thompson put up 19 goals and 25 assists while playing on a different line. Thompson is a smart, cerebral player who should continue getting better as he fills out physically. The Milford, Conn., native was a fourth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Printz, an undrafted free agent, returns as a senior after back-to-back seasons of double-digit goals. The Fairfax, Va., native had 15 goals this past winter after 11 his sophomore year. Both of those totals represent a big jump in production from his four goals as a rookie. NHL clubs will be interested in signing Printz for his size, goal scoring and ability to bring a physical element from the wing position.
As for Dugan, the Friars will almost certainly not have his services in 2020-21. Expect the Rochester, N.Y., native to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Mike Richter finalists
Two players from local schools and a third player from the region are among the five finalists for this year’s Mike Richter Award, given annually to college hockey’s top goaltender.
Maine junior Jeremy Swayman, who recently signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, tops the list. The Anchorage, Alaska, native finished the season with a .939 save percentage, which ranked second nationally. The Hockey East Player of the Year, Hockey East Goaltender of the Year and Walter Brown Award winner is also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to college hockey’s top player.
Boston College freshman Spencer Knight of Darien, Conn., is the other finalist from a Hockey East school. The Florida Panthers’ first-round pick in 2019 had a remarkable rookie season, leading the Eagles to a Hockey East regular season championship. The USA Hockey NTDP and Avon Old Farms alum had a .931 save percentage while playing in 33 of his team’s 34 games.
Also making the cut was Greenwich, Conn., native Strauss Mann, the Michigan sophomore who continues to prove doubters wrong. The Brunswick School alum and former Fargo Force stalwart had a .939 save percentage, third best in Division I. That comes on the heels of a less than stellar freshman season, statistically speaking, when he had a .895 save percentage.
The other two finalists are Cornell junior Matthew Galajda and Minnesota State sophomore Dryden McKay. The award is typically handed out Friday between the two game-days at the Frozen Four, but that is uncertain with this year’s event being canceled because of the coronavirus.
Doherty opts out at Maine
Maine center Tim Doherty of Portsmouth, R.I., will finish his college career at Penn State, it was reported by Mark Divver.
The former St. George’s and Junior Bruins star had 14 goals and 23 assists this past winter, but will use his graduate transfer ability and head to the Big Ten.
Doherty’s departure is another key blow for the Black Bears, a team that exceeded expectations to earn a home ice playoff spot in 2019-20. Also gone is leading scorer Mitchell Fossier and the aforementioned Swayman.
