Leafs agree to deal with Bozak
The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with highly-touted college prospect Tyler Bozak, according to numerous reports.
As many as 20 teams, including all six from Canada, were interested in signing Bozak, a 23-year-old centre from Regina who recently completed his NCAA career with the University of Denver Pioneers. He was not selected in his NHL draft year.
Bozak had eight goals and 15 assists in 19 games with the Pioneers this season. He missed a number of games with a knee injury but returned for the start of the NCAA hockey tournament.
In 60 games over two seasons with Denver, Bozak had 26 goals and 31 assists. He’s been described as a strong two-way centre with good speed who is also adept in the faceoff circle.
Earlier this week, the Maple Leafs signed forward Christian Hanson to a two-year deal. Hanson, a 23-year-old from Venetia, Pa. who played with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is the son of ‘Slap Shot’ star Dave Hanson.
He is expected to make his NHL debut tonight in Philadelphia.
The Leafs are also reportedly in the mix to sign Boston University defenceman Matt Gilroy, one of three finalists for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award. Gilroy, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder from North Bellmore, N.Y. had eight goals and 28 assists for BU this season.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2009/04/03/8993656.html