Phil Kessel will soon have a new teammate in Toronto, a former University of Vermont Catamount.
According to the university's Web site, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Brayden Irwin to a two-year deal. Toronto general manager Brian Burke announced that the Catamounts forward will join the team for its final six games of the regular season.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Irwin played 144 career games at UVM, recording 38 goals, 44 assists and 194 penalty minutes. This season, he helped lead the Catamounts to the NCAA tournament with 15 goals and 19 assists.
Irwin relished the opportunity to play at Vermont.
"I couldn't have asked for a better experience at Vermont," Irwin told the Web site. "The past four years have been incredible and I'm very grateful for the opportunity I had to play here. I want to thank the coaching staff and everyone involved with the team for the opportunity and all their help. I have learned a lot and I have really grown as a player and a person."
Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon will miss Irwin, but he thinks Irwin will be a tremendous asset to Toronto.
"I could not be happier for Brayden and his family," Sneddon said. "He has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity with a great organization. We wish Brayden much success as he embarks on his professional career with the Maple Leafs, and we thank him for his contributions to our hockey program and community during the past four years. We are very proud to add another Catamount to the list of NHL contracts."
Irwin becomes the ninth former Catamount to currently have an NHL contract. He plans to finish the regular season with the Maple Leafs, but he will return to school after April 10 to earn his degree this spring.
