After an incredible season, five Denver hockey players have signed to play in the National Hockey league (NHL): junior forward Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Wash.), sophomore forward Henrik Borgström (Helsinki, Finland), junior forward Troy Terry (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), junior defenseman Blake Hillman (Elk River, Minn.) and senior defenseman Adam Plant (Penticton, B.C.).
On March 26 it was announced that Gambrell signed a standard, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks.
“Dylan is one of the top college players in the country, who has proven through his many accomplishments that he can compete at the highest level,” Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson said in a press release. “We believe his speed, combined with his high-end Hockey IQ, make him ready to be an NHL player. We are confident that with his skill set, he will make an impact with our team.”
Also on March 26, the Florida Panthers announced that Borgström signed a three-year, entry-level contract with them.
“Henrik is a highly-talented, exciting and dynamic young forward who has been a dominant player over his last two seasons in Denver,” Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon said in a press release. “In a short time he has put together an accomplished career in the college game, including a national championship. We are thrilled to have him take the next step in his development with the Panthers. Henrik’s addition to our skilled, young core of players further strengthens our foundation for success for years to come.”
The Anaheim Ducks announced on March 26 that Terry signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the them.
Terry finished his collegiate career with 115 points in 115 games and tied for 63rd among Denver’s all-time scorers. He finished second in team scoring and eighth in NCAA scoring during the 2017-2018 season, scoring 48 points in 39 games and leading the team with 34 assists. Terry scored 25 points in NCHC play and had the fifth-highest points per game average (1.14) in the conference, earning Second-Team All-Conference honors.
The Blackhawks announced on March 27 that Hillman signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks that will run through the 2018-2019 season.
Hillman finished his college career with 31 points in 123 games. He was the Pioneers’ second-highest scoring defenseman during the 2017-2018 season, logging 12 points, 96 shots, 44 blocked shots and a team-leading 52 penalty minutes. In 2016, Hillman was named the Most Outstanding Player of NCAA West Regional after recording four points in the tournament.
On March 28, the Laval Rocket announced that Plant signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2018-2019 season and will play the remainder of the 2017-2018 season with the team on a professional tryout contract.
Plant recorded 42 points in 154 collegiate games. He logged 11 points in 32 games during the 2017-2018 season, averaging a career-best 0.34 points per game. In the 2016-2017 season, Plant was a co-recipient of the Keith Magnuson Award, which honors Denver’s best defensive player. Plant was a four-year member of the Academic All-Conference Team. Prior to coming to Denver, Plant recorded 65 points in 104 games in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
We wish our Pioneers the best as they compete on the professional level.
