|
Hartigan signs with NHL's Thrashers
By Staff Report
The greatest offensive player in the history of the SCSU hockey program is moving on with his career.
Mark Hartigan, 24, signed a one-year free-agent contract Tuesday to play for the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, just four days after playing in his final college game, the Huskies' 4-2 loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
Hartigan flew to Atlanta on Wednesday and is likely to make his first professional appearance on Saturday in Detroit. He was unavailable for comment.
The Fort St. John's, British Columbia, native received a signing bonus of $514,000, which was the highest bonus available. His contract is valued at $1 million and will be prorated for the final eight games of the year, meaning Hartigan could earn approximately $100,000 if he plays in all of them. He will have to negotiate a new contract with Atlanta at the end of this season, however there will be no cap on his earnings.
The deal leaves Hartigan with some cash in his pockets and gives the Thrashers three of the game's most highly touted young forwards.
Along with Ilya Kovalchuk, who was the top pick in last year's NHL entry draft, and former Wisconsin star Dany Heatley, the Thrashers have a wealth of riches in the potential star department.
Despite being held scoreless in his last three games, Hartigan's pro status was apparently unhurt. He had met with officials from the St. Louis Blues following the Huskies' elimination from the NCAA tournament, and the Minnesota Wild were among several teams interested in Hartigan's services.
Hartigan leaves SCSU as the school's career leader in goals (86) and holds single-season records for goals, assists and short-handed goals. He is also the first Husky to win the WCHA scoring title, be named a Hobey Baker finalist and win the WCHA player of the year award.
Hartigan was also named as one of the three finalists for the Hobey, which will be presented April 5 at the Frozen Four in St. Paul. The two other finalists, New Hampshire's Darren Haydar and Minnesota's Jordan Leopold, are both playing in the Frozen Four. Hartigan will probably miss the ceremony, though, because the Thrashers have a game in Atlanta that night.
Hartigan's debut will make him the sixth player from SCSU to make it into the NHL. He will be the third, along with Tyler Arnason (Chicago) and Duvie Westcott (Columbus), to play their first game this season.
SCSU forward Nate DiCasmirro, Hartigan's linemate for much of the season, is also a free agent and told the St. Cloud Times Tuesday that his agent is still fielding offers from NHL franchises. DiCasmirro hopes to sign a contract in the coming weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
