The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Jack Dugan. The 22-year-old was one of the top players in U.S. college hockey this season before the NCAA cancelled the remainder of its season. The deal is for two years and will take the young forward through 2021-22. Dugan was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top college player in the United States. The team announced the news Monday afternoon.
We are excited to announce that Jack Dugan has agreed to join the VGK organization!!! #VegasBorn
Dugan led the NCAA in scoring as a sophomore with 52 points (10G, 42A) in 34 games this season with Providence 📈https://t.co/VZfmegKllU
— 🏆 – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 11, 2020
Golden Knights Sign Jack Dugan
Dugan was having an outstanding collegiate season before it was cancelled. He had 10 goals and 52 points in 34 games playing for Providence College. He was eight points ahead of the next best players, Nick Abruzzese and Marc Michaelis, who each had 44 points in 31 games. Dugan was not scoring as many goals as his peers but he was an excellent distributor and playmaker. Dugan ended 2019-20 with 20 goals and 91 points in 75 college games.
The Golden Knights originally selected Dugan in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft. It looks as though they have a late-round steal on their hands after his most recent campaign. He has good size at 6’2″, 185 pounds and a powerful skating style. He needs to continue adding strength but Dugan has the physical stature to fight through checks. Dugan looks like an ideal option as Vegas’ future presence in front of the net redirecting shots and helping to set up teammates from the slot.
What This Means for the Future
This is a great signing for both Vegas and Dugan. He is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the Golden Knights system and could be an NHL option within the new deal’s two years. However, still has some decisions to make. They still have to decide what to do with pending free agents like Robin Lehner. Vegas has been a true success in only a few short years but interesting choices await them in an uncertain future.
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