Calgary Flames Press Release
SCHENECTADY, NY – Senior forward Josh Jooris signed a two year entry-level NHL contract with the Calgary Flames, announced Calgary General Manager Jay Feaster.
"Josh is a right shot center with size and skill," said Feaster. "During our recent development camp he played an aggressive, up-tempo style and displayed good grit and a high compete level. Our staff felt strongly that we should attempt to get him signed, and we are pleased to welcome him to the organization. He will play for us in Penticton and then will be given an opportunity to compete for a spot at main camp."
Jooris joins former teammates Troy Grosenick '14 (San Jose Sharks), Jeremy Welsh '13 (Carolina Hurricanes) and Keith Kinkaid (New Jersey Devils) as the fourth player in the past three seasons to sign an NHL contract as an undrafted free agent.
"My time at Union has truly been the best of my life." Jooris said. "The people involved with my three years at school is what made this decision extremely difficult. I fully intend on completing my degree in the near future. Union has always upheld the importance of being a student first and an athlete second, and I truly value my education.
Jooris, a native of Burlington, Ontario, finishes his Union career with 29 goals and 59 assists in 117 career games played. He was Union's active career leader in playoff scoring with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 16 postseason contests, including two goals in Union's 5-1 win over Boston College in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
"I'm happy for Josh and his family and wish him all the best as he starts his professional career," said Union head coach Rick Bennett. "We want Josh to follow the recent examples set by Troy Grosenick '14 and Jeremy Welsh '13 and hope he returns to school to complete his degree in the near future."
Jooris finished the 2012-13 season tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 29 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 39 contests, including four power play goals. One of Union's key offensive players over the past three seasons, Jooris played a big part in the team's run to the Frozen Four in 2011-12. He recorded eight goals and 20 assists in 38 games, including a four-point performance (goal, three assists) in an ECAC Semifinal win over Colgate, and a goal and an assist in Union's 3-1 win over Harvard in the ECAC Championship game in 2012. Jooris had a goal and an assist, including the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win over UMass-Lowell to help Union clinch it's first ever Frozen Four berth in the NCAA East Regional Final.
He became the first Union player to record a hat trick in his debut, notching three goals and an assist in his first career game against Sacred Heart on Oct. 8, 2010. Later on in his freshman year, he would score a memorable game-winning goal in a 3-2 overtime win at Minnesota in the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 31, 2010. Jooris finished the 2010-11 season second among all Union freshmen in scoring with nine goals and 23 assists in 40 games played.
"I would like to thank Coach Bennett, Coach Dumais, Coach Tapp, and Coach Beal for the hard work they put day in and day out and ultimately making it fun to come to the rink everyday," Jooris said. "I have learned so much from them and I will be forever grateful. What makes Union such a special place is the support that surrounds the program, starting from the top with President Stephen Ainlay and Athletic Director Jim McLaughlin. I would like to thank both for the continuous support and conscious effort in making the program better every day. I would also like to thank all of the professors and advisors who guided me through my three years at Union. I will miss playing in front of the best fans in college hockey. They created an amazing atmosphere at Messa Rink. Lastly, I'd like to thank my teammates. The boys in that dressing room were the best group of guys I could ever imagine playing with. This is what made this decision the hardest I have ever had to face, and it makes the moment bittersweet."
