NHL signing wave keeps rolling on for Spitfires
LONDON There’s been an NHL signing wave rolling through the Windsor Spitfires’ dressing room and overager Jeremiah Addison got caught in it Friday.
The 20-year-old Addison signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
“It’s exciting,” Addison said. “There’s been some back and forth. I wouldn’t say it’s a last-minute thing. It was within the last two weeks we’ve gotten into some serious conversations.”
A former first-round pick by the Saginaw Spirit, the Spitfires acquired the 5-foot-11, 184-pound Addison from the Ottawa 67’s before this season. In 51 regular season games with the Spitfires, Addison has 24 goals and 43 points.
“Obviously, I went in the seventh round, so I’ve got to perform more each day,” he said. “I have to perform. I was fortunate enough to get a contract and it’s a testament to my abilities. I’m happy about it and excited about what the future holds.”
Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson was pleased the deal was struck before the playoffs.
“It’s well deserved and good for him,” Thompson said. “It’s great and now he doesn’t have to worry about those types of things. He can just focus on the team and winning and that’s taken care of. He doesn’t have to have that on his mind.”
Addison’s signing comes days after Jeremy Bracco signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sean Day signed with the New York Rangers. Mikhail Sergachev, Logan Stanley, Logan Brown, Graham Knott and Julius Nattinen have also signed.
“It’s a good feeling around the room,” Addison said. “Everyone’s happy for everyone and now we just have to win.”
MILETIC SITS
London opened the playoffs Friday without leading goal scorer Sam Miletic.
The 19-year-old, who had 37 goals in 65 regular season games, began serving an automatic twogame suspension for a slew-footing major he picked up Sunday against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
ROOKIES SIT
With Logan Brown and Jalen Chatfield back in the lineup Friday, the Spitfires opted to sit rookies Connor Corcoran and Tyler Angle for the series opener against London.