Jordan Harris will wear the Canadiens’ uniform. After four years with the Northeastern Huskies, the third-round pick (71st) in the 2018 draft chose to continue his journey in Montreal rather than testing the free agent market starting August 15.
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Harris has now completed his college career. On Friday, the Huskies lost 2-1 in overtime to Western Michigan University.
“It’s a difficult day for Jordan,” said someone close to the fast defender in an interview with the Journal de Montréal. He was the captain this year. When you lose in overtime, there are always a lot of emotions. He would have liked to go a longer way, he dreamed of participating in the Frozen Four. »
“There is sadness, but there is also another chapter that will open soon, continued this same person who wished to remain anonymous. He can’t wait to make the leap to the NHL level and discover the world of the Canadiens. »
Photo d’archives, Agence QMI
Two years
Harris, who turns 22 on July 7, will sign a two-year contract with CH. If he plays a game in Montreal by the end of the year, he will burn the first year of his rookie contract. Ryan Poehling and Cole Caufield had also taken advantage of this advantage when they joined the professionals.
As he will be 22 before Sept. 15, Harris had the option of receiving a two-year pact rather than the traditional three-year contract for a rookie.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the news about Harris’ contract with the Habs, tweeting minutes after Northeastern was eliminated against Western Michigan University.
The Journal received the confirmation shortly thereafter. An official announcement should occur within the next two days.
Another young defender
In Montreal, Harris will join an already very young defensive squad. The left-handed defenseman from Massachusetts is expected to get auditions in the last 18 games of the season, as is Justin Barron, a 2020 first-round pick acquired in the trade for Artturi Lehkonen with the Colorado Avalanche.
In his fourth season at Northeastern, Harris had 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 38 games. At 5-foot-11 and 179 lbs, he’s not the biggest defender, but he’s very mobile and gets the attack going well.
In Montreal, Harris will land in a fairly familiar environment. With the Huskies, he played with Martin’s son Ryan St-Louis and with Kent’s sons Riley and Jack Hughes.
Jeff Gorton, vice-president of hockey operations at CH, is also from Massachusetts, as is Harris.
Academically, Harris will complete her bachelor’s degree within the next few weeks. He only had one lesson left this semester. Since the day of his draft in 2018, he had always said that he would like to finish his studies. This was a very important plan for his parents. He will have kept his promise. And he will not have failed at the CH.