Vecchione takes a Flyer on NHL
Ex-Malden Cath. star signs entry-level deal
The NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers signed highly sought-after center Mike Vecchione to a one-year entry-level contract yesterday.
The former Malden Catholic star from Saugus just completed his four-year career at Union College. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder was one of the top college free agents available, ultimately picking the Flyers over the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
“In my heart, I felt I had the best opportunity in Philly and I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out,” said the 24-year-old during a conference call.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said Vecchione would play for the team this season but added that the 24-year-old’s NHL debut probably wouldn’t come today against the New Jersey Devils. He could make his debut against the Rangers tomorrow at Madison Square Garden.
“We’re excited about it,” Hextall said. “We identified a couple of guys, college free agents, and Mike was one of them. Thankfully we got him.”
Vecchione attended the Flyers’ developmental camp last July and liked what he saw.
“With the whole Philly organization, I got to meet everyone when I went to development camp, the coaches, Mr. Hextall, the rest of the front office guys, a lot of the players,” said Vecchione. “I just had that experience being around everybody, learning from their systems and learning from guys.”
Vecchione had 29 goals and 34 assists in 38 games for Union College and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player. His 63 points were tied for the most in the country with Northeastern’s Zach Aston-Reese, another finalist for the Hobey.
He is Union’s all-time leading scorer with 71 goals and 105 assists in 149 games and won the 2014 national title in Philadelphia alongside Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.
“I talked to Ghost. He obviously wanted me to go there, but at the same time, it’s what’s best for me and my future and it’s ultimately my decision,” said Vecchione.
At Malden Catholic, Vecchione helped lead the Lancers to their first Super Eight title as a senior in 2011, when he was named to the Herald All-Scholastic Dream Team for the second consecutive season.
Philadelphia has five games remaining. If Vecchione plays this season, he would become a restricted free agent this summer.
“I definitely want to get some experience in at the end of this year, get my feet wet, get my feel for everything, figure out the systems that Philly runs and get acclimated to the whole organization and how they operate over there,” Vecchione said. “Hopefully, I can get into some games soon.”