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University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Hockey's Vatrano Signs With Boston Bruins
March 12, 2015 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass hockey redshirt sophomore forward Frank Vatrano signed a free agent contract with the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Vatrano, who will forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility, becomes the 12th Minuteman in the past three years to ink his first professional deal.
"I would like to thank everyone who helped me get to where I am today, especially UMass, the Boston Junior Bruins and the U.S. National Development Team Program who made this dream become possible for me." said Vatrano. "To my family and friends who stuck by me through thick and thin, I appreciate everything you have done for me in my life and the sacrifices you have made for me."
"I'm so happy for Frank and his family to have another dream realized," said UMass head coach John Micheletto. "Frank has worked so hard during his time at Massachusetts to improve his game while helping the team. Though we will miss him tremendously, the UMass hockey family will be cheering loudly in support of Frank's pursuit of a long NHL career."
In his first full season with the Minutemen in 2014-15, the East Longmeadow, Mass., native was UMass' leading goal scorer with 18 tallies, including six on the power play, one shorthanded and two game winners, ranking tied for sixth in Hockey East in goals scored and tied for fifth in power-play goals. He also dished 10 assists for a total of 28 points to rank second on the squad in scoring and had 15 points on nine goals and six assist in 22 Hockey East games.
Vatrano's 18 goals this season were the most by a Minuteman since Casey Wellman scored 23 in 2009-10 and he became the just the sixth player in UMass' Hockey East era to have at least 18 goals in one season. He ranked second in the nation this season and first in Hockey East with 194 shots on goal.