FILE PHOTO
Saugus native Mike Vechione has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL.
By STEVE KRAUSE
This has been a banner week for Saugus’ Mike Vecchione.
Earlier this week, Vecchione, a senior at Union College, was announced as one of three finalists for college hockey’s Hobey Baker Award, often called the sport’s version of football’s Heisman Trophy honor.
Friday, he was signed to an entry-level contract to the Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League organization. Vecchione, who played his high school hockey with Malden Catholic, is said to have chosen the Flyers over the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The decision was difficult, he said in a conference call as reported by philly.com, the online site for the Philadelphia Inquirer, “but in my gut, I wanted to go to Philly. I couldn’t be happier. It’s a dream come true.”
Vecchione, a center, was a freshman at Union when the Dutchmen won the national championship in 2014. Shayne Gostisbehere, a defenseman on that championship Union team, is a member of the Flyers who helped recruit Vecchione to team.
“He just told me he’s coming here and I’m pumped,” Gostisbehere said.
Vecchione, 24, recorded 29 goals and 34 assists for 63 points, all of which are career highs, to lead the Dutchmen, and finished tied for first among all NCAA players.
His 29 goals led all ECAC players and ranked second among all NCAA players.
Vecchione led the NCAA with 21 multiple point games and seven game-winning goals.
Through four seasons at Union College, Vecchione recorded 71 goals and 105 assists for 176 points in 149 games and is the all-time leading scorer for Union. He served as team captain in the his final two seasons.
He attended Flyers Development Camp in 2016.
EliteProspects.com describes Vecchione as “a strong and speedy two-way transition winger who possesses good puck and passing skills, and is equally adept at finishing plays as he is creating them. All-in-all, an offensively minded two-way winger that can produce strong numbers due to his patience and responsibility in all three zones.”
The Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced next Friday in Chicago, site of this year’s Frozen Four NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey tournament.