Top College Free Agent Collin Graf signs NHL contract

The sweepstakes are over as top college free agent Collin Graf has finally put pen-to-paper on his first National Hockey League contract.

On Thursday, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced that the team has signed Graf to a standard entry-level contract that begins immediately. Meaning, Graf will join the Sharks in the coming days and likely make his NHL debut before the season ends.

«Graf has excelled at the collegiate level, finishing as a Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist for the last two seasons,» said Grier. «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 excels in the offensive zone. We are excited to have him join the organization.»

The native of Lincoln, Massachusetts, spent the last two seasons with Quinnipiac University after transferring there from Union College in 2022. His move to Quinnipiac was the right decision as his offensive game has taken off significantly, with several NHL teams interested in him prior to signing with the Sharks.


Last season, Graf finished the year with the third-most points among anyone in the NCAA with 59, only behind Adam Fantilli and Logan Cooley and he went on to win the National Championship in April 2023 with Quinnipiac.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Graf recorded 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists), along with four penalty minutes and was a plus-24 in 34 games, as his team lost in the regional finals to Boston College in overtime.