Mark Stuart, who captained Colorado College to the Frozen Four last season, will forgo his senior season after signing a three-year contract with the NHL’s Boston Bruins.
The move was expected after the NHL resumed operations after the lockout that canceled the 2004-05 season.
Stuart, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound defenseman, was the first CC player ever to be selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft in 2003. He was the WCHA’s defensive player of the year last season in a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches despite not being selected as a first-team all-league pick.
He also was a first-team All-American in the West Region last season.
“It’s tough leaving,” Stuart told The Gazette of Colorado Springs. “I’ve got all my friends here, and I enjoyed going to school here. But I think I’m ready to go. I’m excited about the new challenge.”
In 118 games over three seasons, Stuart had 12 goals and 54 points.
