San Jose Sharks Press Release

SCHENECTADY, NY – Junior goaltender Troy Grosenick signed an entry-level NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks today, announced San Jose Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson.

"We think that Troy is a quality goaltender and we are excited to bring him into the fold," said Wilson. "He has excelled the past couple seasons at Union playing for coach Rick Bennett and his staff, and we feel he can be a valuable member of our organization."

Grosenick joins former Union teammates Jeremy Welsh '13 (Carolina Hurricanes) and Keith Kinkaid (New Jersey Devils) as the third player in the past three seasons to sign an NHL contract.

“I'm extremely happy for Troy and everything he's accomplished to this point,” said head coach Rick Bennett. “We're happy that he was one of the best student-athletes here within our hockey program. He's going to finish his degree and that's what we are most proud. He was here for three years, played for two and had two phenomenal years and really proved himself at this level.”

Grosenick will complete his degree in managerial economics at Union by taking summer classes over the summer.

“I will be finishing my degree by taking additional courses over the summer. I truly value my education and a degree, especially from the great institution that Union College is," Grosenick said. "I would like to thank Coach Bennett, Coach Dumais, and Coach Beal for their hard work and dedication in making every one of their players not only better athletes, but better people. Of course, I worked most closely with Coach Tapp who has been incredible to helping me develop into the person and player I am today. I'd like to thank Jim McLaughlin and the rest of the athletic office and support staff, Dave Baglio and Cheryl Rockwood for everything they do behind the scenes to support student-athletes. I'd also like to thank every Union professor for their commitment to teaching, they are what make a Union education so special. I'd like to also thank President Ainlay for his support, it is truly a great feeling to see the President of the College sitting in the front row at almost every game. Lastly, and most importantly, I'd like to thank my teammates for being the best group of guys I could ask to play with. They are truly the reason this moment is bittersweet for me. Of course, I'm excited to continue my hockey career, but leaving that locker room is hard because every guy in it is a great teammate and friend.”

Grosenick, Union's first Hobey Baker Award finalist, followed up his record setting 2011-12 season with another exceptional campaign in net for the Dutchmen. The Brookfield, Wisconsin native finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 17-10-5 with a 2.12 goals against average and .926 save percentage in 34 games played. He was at his best during Union's seven game winning streak late in the season, guiding the Dutchmen to an ECAC Tournament Championship and a slot NCAA East Regional final for the second consecutive season with a record of 6-0-0 to go along with a 1.03 goals against average and .966 save percentage.

In 2011-12, Grosenick was named a First-Team AHCA All-American and earned the Ken Dryden Award as ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Year. He ranked first in conference action in goals-against average (1.60); save percentage (.940); and win percentage (.767). At 22-6-3 overall, Grosenick, who started 33 of 41 games, finished the season second in the nation in goals-against average (1.65), save percentage (.936), and winning percentage (.758). His five shutouts on the season matched Kris Mayotte '06 for the single-season school record. Grosenick shattered school single-season goals-against average and save percentage records established by Keith Kinkaid (2010-11) and Trevor Koenig (1996-1997).

Grosenick finishes his career at Union with a record of 39-16-9, second on the school's all-time wins list. He recorded a career 1.89 goals against average and .930 save percentage, both school marks.

Grosenick's accomplishments in the classroom and the community while at Union were just as impressive. A three time ECAC All-Academic team member and two-time ECAC Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year finalist, Grosenick received the Harold R. Moore Sophomore Athletic Prize as well as the Sophomore Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012. A managerial economics major, Grosenick entered the season with the highest GPA of any returning student-athlete on the team.

He served as a volunteer tutor in Union's economics department, and also was a volunteer note taker through the Office of Student Services, helping disabled students in Union classes with their studies. Grosenick also was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Student Conduct Judicial Board, and Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society.

“Troy's academic and community service excellence have made a tremendous impact on our campus at Union,” said Union College Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin. “With his accelerated credits, Troy will come back and complete his economics degree similar to Jeremy Welsh '13, who signed an NHL contract at this time last year and returned for his degree. His many accolades in his Union career, including Dean's List student, two-time ECAC Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year candidacy, Hobey Baker finalist and Union Student-Athlete of the Year award, have left a legacy and he has helped to put our program on the national stage.”