Gostisbehere signs with Flyers

by Ryan Fay

Shayne Gostisbehere has played his last game for Union.

The junior defenseman gave up his senior season when he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

He was signed to a three-year, entry-level deal that begins next season. He'll finish out this season on an amateur tryout with the club's AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. The Phantoms play at home Friday against Bridgeport before concluding the season Saturday in Hershey.

Gostisbehere

Gostisbehere isn't eligible to play with the Flyers during the postseason, which starts later this week, but he will practice and travel with them after Adirondack's season ends.

Gostisbehere had nine goals, 25 assists and a plus-33 rating in 42 games this season. He had a goal, two assists and a plus-7 rating in Union's 7-4 win over Minnesota in the national championship game on Saturday.

He was the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen four and the co-winner of the ECAC Hockey Player of the Year Award and Best Defensive Defenseman awards.

The 20-year-old was the only defenseman among the top 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.

Gostisbehere ends his Union career with 22 goals and 60 assists in 119 games.

His departure leaves a major void on the blueline for Union, which is also graduating senior captain Mat Bodie, who had eight goals, 31 assists and a plus-28 rating in 40 games. Bodie signed with the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Union is expected to bring in two promising defensemen next season, Connor Light of the U.S Hockey League's Omaha Lancers and Nick DeSimone of the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Buffalo Jr. Sabres.

Gostisbehere is the fifth player to leave Union early in the last four years. Sophomore goalie Keith Kinkaid signed with the New Jersey Devils after the 2010-2011 season. Junior forward Jeremy Welsh bolted for the Carolina Hurricanes following the 2011-2012 campaign. After last season, junior goalie Troy Grosenick inked a deal with the San Jose Sharks and junior foward Josh Jooris came to terms with the Calgary Flames.

Follow @UnionHockeyBlog