The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Tyler Bozak sweepstakes, signing the University of Denver sophomore forward Friday to a two-year contract that ends his amateur career.
Bozak, who played at DU as an undrafted NHL free agent, finished with 57 points (26 goals) in 60 games with the Pioneers. He led the Pioneers in scoring as a freshman and had a team-high 21 points until sustaining a knee injury in the 18th game this season.
He returned from a 21-game absence March 27, scoring and assisting on goals in DU’s 4-2 loss to Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Bozak, 23, is the eighth DU player since 2005 to sign an NHL contract before his senior year, but his departure was the most expected.
His agent, Wade Arnott, said in December that at least 25 teams were interested in signing the late-bloomer from Regina, Saskatchewan.
Bozak was not available for comment Friday night.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Tyler has chosen to sign with the Maple Leafs,” Toronto general manager Brian Burke said in a release. “He is a young man that was coveted by a large number of teams in our league, and it’s our goal to help him reach his potential with our organization.
“He’s a responsible player at both ends of the ice, and he has shown the ability to put points on the board with his quickness at the collegiate level.”
DU was grateful it had Bozak for two years. He had numerous opportunities to sign last summer.
“We are happy for Tyler and the decision he has made to join the Maple Leafs organization,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said in a release. “He is another talented Pioneer in a long line of former DU players who have been given a great opportunity to pursue a professional hockey career.
“In his two years as a student-athlete at the University of Denver, his contributions helped secure our status as one of college hockey’s top programs. His personality, toughness, leadership and character will be missed on the ice as well as in our university community.
“I know that it has been his dream to someday play in the NHL, and next September that dream will become reality.”
Mullen signs with Kings.
DU senior defenseman Patrick Mullen has signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
Mullen had 81 points (20 goals) in 152 games at DU, where he also played forward.
Mullen, 22, is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Mullen.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
