The Arizona Coyotes have signed undrafted free agent defenseman Jordan Gross to a two-year entry-level contract. Gross just completed his fourth season with the University of Notre Dame. Coyotes GM John Chayka released a statement in the announcement:
Jordan was one of the top defensemen in the NCAA last year and we’re thrilled to add him to our organization. He’s a mobile, puck-moving, right shot defenseman who is very smart. He will join a great group of young players that we now have in Arizona.
Gross, 22, was recently named to the All-Tournament team in the Frozen Four after Notre Dame made it to the National Championship game. The mobile defenseman racked up 30 points for the third consecutive season, finishing his collegiate career with a whopping 121 points in 159 games.
For Arizona, adding talent in ways other than the draft is key to turning the system around. Though they took strides towards the playoffs in the second half, they still need to add dynamic talents that will help them in the coming years. There’s no guarantee that Gross will be able to defend well enough to contribute in the NHL, but he’s certainly talented enough to take a chance on.