The wild off-season for the Merritt Centennials continues with another alumnus inking an entry level deal with an NHL club.
Former Cent, and now former Providence College Friar, Brandon Duhaime will sign a two-year, entry-level contract that starts next season with the team that drafted him in the 4th round of the 2016 draft – The Minnesota Wild.
For now, Duhaime will report to Iowa of the American Hockey League for the rest of the season on an amateur tryout agreement. Iowa is heading into the first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Admirals and they’re set to begin on Sunday.
The Parkland, Florida native spent the 2014-15 season with the Merritt Centennials where he racked up 6 goals and 25 points over 53 games before moving on to a year in the USHL and then Providence.
In 42 games with Providence this past season, Duhaime was among their leading scorers tallying 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points. All three categories were career-highs for the 6-1, 200-pound forward. Duhaime also led the Friars in penalty minutes (53), tied for second in game-winning goals (three) and ranked third in scoring. The 21-year-old finished with 72 points (22 goals and 50 assists) in three seasons with Providence.
Duhaime joins Diego Cuglietta and Josh Teves as Centennials alum’s who have signed with NHL or AHL affiliates this off-season.
