Union duo sign pro contracts (with 3 videos)

by Ryan Fay

Shayne Gostisbehere and Mat Bodie have been teammates for the past three seasons.

But the two defensemen could soon become rivals after signing professional contracts Tuesday.

Gostisbehere

Gostisbehere surrendered his senior season to sign an entry-level deal with Philadelphia Flyers, the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2012 draft. Bodie, a senior, agreed to a entry-level contract with the New York Rangers, one of Philadelphia's biggest rivals.

Gostisbehere will finish the season with Philadelphia's AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. The Phantoms play at home Friday against Bridgeport before concluding the season Saturday in Hershey. After that, Gostisbehere is expected to travel and practice with Philadelphia during its postseason run, but he won't be eligible to play.

“It definitely will be pretty weird [facing Bodie],” Gostisbehere said.“Normally, I just look over to my right and he’s there on the bench with me. It’s definitely awesome if we both get that opportunity to do that. It will be a moment I won’t forget.”

Bodie will remain at Union to finish his economics degree before joining the Rangers for development camp this summer. He could crack the Rangers opening night roster next season, or end up with their AHL affiliate in Hartford.

“Anytime you play a former teammate, there’s always a little something extra there,” Bodie said. “If we do ever get to play against each other, I’m sure we will have a lot of fun with it. Both clubs have great fans.”

Bodie's signing became official Tuesday morning, while Gostisbehere's went down early Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re extremely happy as a coaching staff to see players move on. I won’t sugarcoat it," said Union head coach Rick Bennett. "It’s really nice that Mat Bodie is going to stay the whole four years. And Shayne, on his side, it’s tough to see a guy leave early, but at the same token, he’s going to come back and get his degree.”

Gostisbehere's departure was a foregone conclusion. In 42 games this season, he had nine goals and 25 assists with a plus-33, best among defensemen in the country. He was was named co-winner of the ECAC Hockey Player of the Year and Best Defensive Defenseman awards.

He ended his Union career by scoring a goal and two assists to go with a plus-7 in Union's 7-4 win over Minnesota in Saturday's national championship game at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Flyers. The performance helped him pick up Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player honors.

Bennett called Gostisbehere's national championship showing "one of the finest performances I've seen someone in a jersey play."

Gostisbehere, who turns 21 on Sunday, had 22 goals and 60 assists in 119 career games with Union. He thought it was time to move on.

"I sat down with my family after and it came down to where my development would be and what I had to do to get better and go to the next level," Gostisbehere said. "Right now is just the right time. Of course, I want to make everyone happy and I wish I could, but for my sake, it was time. Again, I can't thank Union College enough for what they've done."

Bodie

Bodie, 24, was a four-year force for Union. He owns program records in career assists (96) and points by a defenseman (124). He was the top scoring blueliner in the nation this season with eight goals and 31 assists in 40 games, including a goal in each of Union's four NCAA Tournament games. He served as team captain the past two seasons.

He chose the Rangers over a half dozen other teams.

“The Rangers really showed a lot of interest,” Bodie said. “Just talking with my agent and Jeff Gorton, the assistant GM, they said they don’t have a lot of guys that play like me. They don’t have too many offensive defensemen. I figured that’s an area that I can come in and maybe contribute. Hopefully, I get that chance and make the most of it when it comes.”

Bennett, who played 15 games with the Rangers in the early 90's, likes the odds of Bodie and Gostisbehere succeeding at the professional level even though neither is especially big. Gostisbehere checks in at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, while Bodie is 6-foot, 165 pounds.

"They definitely have the skills. They definitely have the hockey sense. They are two of the smartest guys that have come through this program," Bennett said. "They're going to have their deficiencies with size. Shayne's younger and getting bigger. Bodie has always done it at that size, so I don't see anything different.

"I don't see them not making it. They both have an inner drive and an inner pride. I think we're going to be watching them on TV soon."

Shayne Gostisbehere press conference


Mat Bodie press conference



Rick Bennett press conference

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