Union junior defenseman Nick DeSimone has signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks.
DeSimone also signed an AHL amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2016-17 season and will play for the San Jose Barracuda.
“I am thankful for all that Union College has done for me, from the professors to the coaching staff, trainers and obviously the guys on the team. I can’t thank them enough,” DeSimone said in a statement. “Union College has made me who I am on and off the ice and has prepared me for this opportunity. It was a hard decision to make, but ultimately I am excited to go to the San Jose Sharks and start the next chapter of my life.”
“Our staff would like to congratulate Nick DeSimone and his family on signing an NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks,” Union coach Rick Bennett added. “We appreciated his contributions to the program during his three years here. Nick continued to develop each season and became one of the better defensemen in the ECAC and nationally. A credit to Nick’s progression goes to associate head coach Jason Tapp and their hard work together. We wish him all the best as he begins his professional hockey career.”
DeSimone had a career year for the Dutchmen in 2016-17, producing career-highs in games played (38), goals (9), points (19) and plus/minus (plus-13). His nine goals tied a program single-season record for goals by a defenseman and ranked tied for seventh among Division I blueliners. He tallied seven goals in ECAC Hockey play, placing him tied for second among the league’s defensemen.
In 109 games with Union, DeSimone compiled 15 goals and 33 assists for 48 points.
