Senators sign forward Jonathan Gruden to three-year entry-level contract

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Jonathan Gruden to a three-year, entry-level contract, which will start next season.

Gruden, 18, recently completed his freshman campaign with the NCAA’s University of Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, where he led team rookies in scoring with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists).

The native of Rochester Hills, Mich., spent the 2017-18 season with the United States Hockey League’s National Development Program, where he ranked fifth in team scoring with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) over 25 contests. He also helped the United States earn a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Gruden was selected by Ottawa in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2018 NHL draft.

Gruden will be eligible to play with one of the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators or Ottawa next season.

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The signing comes a day after Ottawa agreed to a two-year entry-level contract with goaltender Joey Daccord.

Daccord is expected to start in goal when Ottawa visits Buffalo on Thursday.

The Canadian Press