Wisconsin junior defenseman Justin Schultz, who already announced this offseason that he would not be back for his senior season with the Badgers, announced Saturday that he would sign with the Edmonton Oilers once NHL free agency kicks in on July 1.
Schultz’s deal with the Oilers is reportedly a two-year contract.
Drafted in the second round (43rd overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, Schultz became a free agent after withdrawing from school and then opting not to sign with the Ducks earlier in June.
A two-time Hobey Baker finalist, Schultz was also a 2011 and 2012 first-team All-American, two-time first-team All-WCHA, two-time WCHA defensive player of the year and twice led all NCAA defensemen in goals and points.
Among the top 10 defensemen goal scorers in WCHA history, Schultz was the first defenseman in Wisconsin history to lead his team in goals after posting 16 this past season.
Schultz totaled 40 goals, 73 assists and 113 points, including 21 power-play goals and five game-winning tallies, in his 121-game college career.
This past season, Schultz was on the ice for 69 of Wisconsin’s 105 goals, 27 of UW’s 33 power-play goals and 10 of the squad’s 17 game-winning tallies.
