Maple Leafs sign highly coveted NCAA free agent Jacob Quillan

As the NCAA winds down its season, and teams are eliminated one by one, we have seen a number of signings across the NHL. Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs made their play on Quillan, signing the 22-year-old to a two-year entry-level deal that will see him earn $875K per season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs released a statement about the 22-year-old free agent center on Monday evening during the Leafs/Panthers game.

The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native had himself a stellar year with Quinnipiac, as he put up 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists), adding 16 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating in 39 appearances this season. Last season, Quillan won the NCAA championship with Quinnipiac, eliminating Matthew Knies and his University of Minnesota Golden Gophers at AMALIE Arena in Tampa Bay, which ultimately led to Knies signing his entry-level deal and joining the for a 3-game trial at the end of the season. He played well enough that he earned himself a roster spot with the Leafs for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Qullian had scored the winning goal in that NCAA championship game.

During the NHL's annual GM meetings, Leafs GM Brad Treliving hinted at dipping his toe into the NCAA free agent pool with the Leafs still having a pair of contract slots open this season.

It is yet to be known if Quillan will be joining the Toronto Marlies on a tryout to finish the season as his contract with the Leafs begins next season. Regardless, this is a tidy piece of business by Treliving as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli both noted there was lots of interest in the young forward.