University of Maine junior defenseman and alternate captain Frank Djurasevic has signed a contract with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs.
He is the second veteran Black Bear to sign a pro contract as junior right winger Josh Nadeau signed with the Laval Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens’ AHL affiliate.
“It’s always difficult leaving school early and forgoing a year, but (the offer) kind of came around and I made a quick decision,” said Djurasevic from Toronto on Friday. “I think it’s going to be the best thing for my career moving forward.
The 24-year-old Djurasevic said he signed an amateur tryout contract for this season and then a two-year deal with the Marlies for the following two seasons. It’s a one-way contract so he will get paid the same if he plays with the Marlies or with Toronto’s ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati, he explained.
“I know it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a grind every day. Pro hockey is a different world but I’m confident. I feel like I’m ready and the time is now for me to jump in head-first and see what I can do at the next level,” Djurasevic said.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of New Rochelle, New York, had five goals and nine assists in 34 games for the Black Bears this season and led the team in blocked shots with 61. He was a plus-six in plus-minus.
Players receive a plus-one if they are on the ice when their team scores an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one when the opponent scores one.
He was the team’s fourth-leading scorer a year ago when he had seven goals and 21 assists in 38 games and shared the team lead in blocked shots with David Breazeale with 49. He was a plus-18 last year.
He had played his freshman season at Merrimack College before transferring to UMaine. He had four goals and six assists in 35 games for the Warriors with a minus-two rating.
He said his time at Maine was “really special” and highlighted the Black Bears’ conference tournament win at the TD Garden in Boston last year.
“Obviously last season winning Hockey East was so incredible at the Garden with all of our fans there. That is something I will never forget,” Djurasevic said. “It kind of hit me yesterday when I was leaving and looking at the Alfond Arena one last time and realizing I’m never going to play there again. It was pretty sad.”
Playing in Orono is an experience that will stick with him, the defenseman said.
“With the fan base we have and everything that comes with that, it was really special to be a part of,” Djurasevic said. “I was really happy to be a leader on this team. It was an honor for me and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
