San Jose Sharks sign top college UFA Collin Graf to entry-level contract

Graf was Daily Faceoff’s top NCAA UFA ahead of the start of the regional tournaments late last month. The winger helped the Quinnipiac Bobcats win the NCAA national championship for the first time in the school’s history in 2022-23.

Graf just finished his junior season with a disappointing 5-4 loss to the No. 1 Boston College Eagles on Sunday, allowing Graf to hit the free agent market if he pleases. He’s only 21 with another year of eligibility left, but after scoring 22 goals and 49 points in 34 games this year, there wasn’t much left for Graf to accomplish by returning for a senior season.

Graf is a two-time Hobey Baker top 10 finalist, although he wasn’t named to the final three in each year. Graf almost turned pro with quite a bit of NHL interest last season, but elected to return to college to try and help Quinnipiac repeat as national champions.

“Graf has excelled at the collegiate level, finishing as a Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist for the last two seasons,” Sharks GM Mike Grier said in a statement. “His on-ice awareness allows him to process the game at a high level, and is a unique player with a quality 200-foot game who excells in the offensive zone. We are excited to have him join the organization.”

It wasn’t until the switch to Quinnipiac in 2022-23 that Graf started to establish himself as a player with real pro potential. The Lincoln, MA. native stands at 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds. He has the size to win puck battles, but he’s not out there throwing the body just for the sake of hitting people. Graf had just eight PIM over the last two seasons and 18 over his entire college career while still improving his overall physical game.