MSU Press ReleaseMichigan State co-captain Jeff Petry has signed a professional contract with the Edmonton Oilers and will report to the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate Springfield Falcons immediately, as announced by the Oilers on Friday afternoon.
Petry, a second-round pick of Edmonton in 2006 (45th overall), just completed his junior season for the Spartans, and will forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility. According to the Edmonton website, Petry signed a two-year NHL entry-level contract. Petry is expected to make his professional debut this weekend, as Springfield has games at Lowell (Fri.), Portland (Sat.) and Albany (Sun.).
“It's a difficult decision to leave Michigan State and my teammates,” noted the junior. “Michigan State has been a wonderful experience for me and I have to thank Coach Comley and the rest of the MSU staff for giving me the opportunity to be a Spartan. While leaving is bittersweet, joining the Oilers organization is exciting for me and I look forward to beginning my professional career.”
“Jeff is a very high-end talent,” noted head coach Rick Comley. “Losing players early is a part of college hockey now and we really look forward to watching Jeff’s pro career. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Petry, a three-time Most Outstanding Defenseman honoree from MSU and most recently a Second Team All-CCHA pick, is a dynamic blueliner who skates well and has offensive skill to supplement his defensive prowess. He finished the 2009-10 season with four goals and a team-best 25 assists, putting him third on the MSU scoring chart. He was seventh in the CCHA in assists, and ranked second in the league in defenseman scoring (29 points). Petry also ranked fourth in the league in power play points (2-16-18).
During Petry’s freshman season, he was honored as an NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team selection and named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.
In his three seasons at Michigan State, he twice was the team’s top-scoring defenseman and in 118 career games he owned a 9-58-67 scoring line. He never missed a game in his collegiate career.
In Springfield, Petry will be reunited with former Michigan State teammate Bryan Lerg, who was a senior and team captain during Petry’s freshman campaign. Also in Springfield is former Spartans forward Colton Fretter. who was a four-year standout at Michigan State from 2002-2006.
“It's a difficult decision to leave Michigan State and my teammates,” noted the junior. “Michigan State has been a wonderful experience for me and I have to thank Coach Comley and the rest of the MSU staff for giving me the opportunity to be a Spartan. While leaving is bittersweet, joining the Oilers organization is exciting for me and I look forward to beginning my professional career.”
“Jeff is a very high-end talent,” noted head coach Rick Comley. “Losing players early is a part of college hockey now and we really look forward to watching Jeff’s pro career. We wish him nothing but the best.”
Petry, a three-time Most Outstanding Defenseman honoree from MSU and most recently a Second Team All-CCHA pick, is a dynamic blueliner who skates well and has offensive skill to supplement his defensive prowess. He finished the 2009-10 season with four goals and a team-best 25 assists, putting him third on the MSU scoring chart. He was seventh in the CCHA in assists, and ranked second in the league in defenseman scoring (29 points). Petry also ranked fourth in the league in power play points (2-16-18).
During Petry’s freshman season, he was honored as an NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team selection and named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.
In his three seasons at Michigan State, he twice was the team’s top-scoring defenseman and in 118 career games he owned a 9-58-67 scoring line. He never missed a game in his collegiate career.
In Springfield, Petry will be reunited with former Michigan State teammate Bryan Lerg, who was a senior and team captain during Petry’s freshman campaign. Also in Springfield is former Spartans forward Colton Fretter. who was a four-year standout at Michigan State from 2002-2006.
Photo - Petry accepting his All-Tournament Team award at last December's Great Lakes Invitational. Photo by Matt Mackinder/MiCHO
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