Denver men’s hockey sophomore defenseman Scott Mayfield and sophomore goaltender Juho Olkinuora have both decided to forgo their final two years of collegiate eligibility and inked contracts with the New York Islanders and the Winnipeg Jets, respectively.
After the close of the season, some of Denver’s top men are opting to leave early for the NHL, and the exits may not stop at Mayfield and Olkinuora. Denver’s longstanding reputation for early exits for the NHL could continue with players like junior forward Nick Shore (L.A. Kings), sophomore defenseman Joey LaLeggia (Edmonton Oilers), junior defenseman David Makowski (Free Agent) and freshman forward Quentin Shore (draft eligible, WHL rights owned by Portland), who could all choose to leave the school.
Mayfield signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, as announced Friday.
The contract begins with the 2013-2014 season and is good through the 2015-2016 season. He is set to join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League on an Amateur Tryout Contract.
“The Pioneer program is proud and happy for Scott and his family,” said DU associate head coach Steve Miller. “He is realizing his life-long dream to become a professional hockey player. Scott is a very talented and rugged player whose game and style will transfer well at the pro level. We wish him continued success and look forward to seeing him in the NHL soon.”
Mayfield was drafted in the second round (34th overall) by the Islanders in 2011.
After his two year stint at DU, he finished with 29 points off seven goals and 22 assists in 81 games. The 6-4, 205-pound defenseman tallied 17 points on four goals and 13 assists in his sophomore season and 12 points off three goals and nine assists in his rookie season for the Pioneers.
Olkinuora signed an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets, as announced yesterday, and he is set to join the St. John’s Ice Caps of the AHL on an Amateur Tryout Contract.
The sophomore was undrafted and signed with the Jets as a free agent upon finishing his two-year career at DU.
“We could not be happier for Jussi,” said Miller. “Former assistant coach Derek Lalonde and I were fortunate to recruit him to Denver. He made tremendous strides over his two collegiate seasons, in large part due to daily work with coach [David] Lassonde and the friendly and respectful competition with [Adam] Murray and [Sam] Brittain. They each brought the best out of each other. We wish Jussi the best during the next step of his career.”
Olkinuora leaves the Pioneer ranks with a 22-14-8 overall record, a 2.27 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Despite being a late addition to the program, Olkinuora posted a 13-6-5 record in his freshman season with the Pioneers, finishing his rookie season with a 2.34 GAA and a .927 save percentage.
Mayfield and Olkinuora are the first and second DU underclassmen, respectively, to turn pro following the 2012-2013 season. They also make up the 18th and 19th underclassmen to sign professional contracts over the last 19 seasons.
Mayfield and Olkinuora join former teammates Beau Bennett, Jason Zucker and Drew Shore who all left last season, along with former Pioneers Matt Donovan (2011), Marc Cheverie (2010), Joe Colborne (2010), Patrick Wiercioch (2010), Tyler Bozak (2009), Chris Butler (2008), Brock Trotter (2008), Geoff Paukovich (2007), Ryan Dingle (2007), Paul Stastny (2006), Matt Carle (2006), Brett Skinner (2005), Mark Rycroft (2000) and Matt Pettinger (1999) as Pioneers who left school early to turn pro since 1999.
