Bruins sign NCAA UFA Dalton Bancroft to one-year, entry-level contract
One of the better under-the-radar prospects in college hockey has found a home in the pro ranks.
On Thursday, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney announced that the team has signed forward Dalton Bancroft to a one-year, entry-level contract. The deal, which will take place next season, will have an NHL cap hit of $950,000.
The #NHLBruins have signed forward Dalton Bancroft to a one-year, entry-level contract.
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In the meantime, Bancroft will join the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, on an amateur tryout for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.
According to a report, multiple teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins, were interested in the 6-foot-3 scoring force. He’s a strong power forward who uses his size to create opportunities. With a solid shot and some pretty good hands, Bancroft’s game can easily translate to the professional ranks.
Bancroft was an undrafted player who has flourished over his three seasons at Cornell University. In 2023-24, the Madoc, Ontario native posted a career-high 31 points in 34 games, helping the Big Red win the ECAC Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
It was a similar tale during his junior season, with Bancroft’s 15 goals and 27 assists placing him behind fellow Bruins’ prospect Ryan Walsh for the team lead in scoring. Cornell went on to win a second straight conference championship, stunning No. 2 Michigan State in the opening round of the national tournament. Unfortunately, the team’s bid for the Frozen Four came one win short, losing to Washington Capitals prospect Quinn Hutson and Boston University last Saturday in Toledo.
Over his three years in Ithaca, Bancroft appeared in 103 games, scoring 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points.
Prior to moving to the college ranks, Bancroft was a pretty good player with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He led the league with 92 points in 54 games in 2021-22, earning MVP honors.
Boston (30-36-9) holds the worst record in the Eastern Conference, 10 points back of a Wild Card spot. Providence (36-22-7) is fourth in the AHL’s Atlantic Division, having already punched a ticket to the Calder Cup Playoffs.