Another prospect, another contract for the San Jose Sharks, who today signed Noah Gregor to his three-year entry-level contract. Gregor is currently in the second round of the WHL playoffs with his Victoria Royals, and might not get a chance to sign an amateur tryout in the AHL this season. GM Doug Wilson released this statement on the young forward:
Noah’s taken his game to a whole new level during Victoria’s postseason run, and has shown that he can be a difference maker at both ends of the ice. His combination of talent, hockey sense, speed and hard-working nature make him a player that can be counted on in all facets of the game and we look forward to his continued development.
Indeed, Gregor was a force for the Royals in the first round, recording 10 points in the seven-game series, and showing that he probably deserved to go higher than his fourth-round draft selection. He was ranked #45 among North American skaters pre-draft in 2016, but fell all the way to 111th-overall. The Sharks, who had selected Dylan Gambrell 60th-overall, quickly snapped Gregor up with just their second pick of the day.
That draft looks like it could bear fruit even though the team had so few selections, and Gregor is a big part of that. The two-way forward has experience at center and could make an impact for the San Jose Barracuda next season.