After weighing free-agent offers, Boston University junior goaltender Matt O’Connor decided to sign with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
O’Connor and the Senators agreed to a two-year contract on Saturday; the goaltender also had offers from the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.
“It was an extremely difficult decision and I was pretty analytical in making it,” O’Connor said on a conference call with reporters on Saturday. “I did some serious deliberations and I think that’s why it kind of dragged out a little bit longer than one would it expect. It’s a big time in my life to decide on the organization.”
O’Connor backstopped Boston University to the national championship game in 2015, losing to Providence on a fluke third-period goal.
He was 25-4-4 in his junior season with a 2.18 GAA and a .927 save percentage.
O’Connor said he expects to have to work his way up through the Senators organization’s depth in goal.
“As a goalie, you need time to develop in the pro game so I would definitely picture myself in Binghamton,” he said, referring to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate. “I’m not one to come in to an organization and demand games or expect promises because the bottom line is it’s about stopping the puck. I think I can develop a lot in the American League and that’s a big opportunity for me. As a goalie, you want to go when you’re ready and I’ve got a two-year window to develop into the best goalie I can be.”
Freshman Connor LaCouvee started six games in 2014-15 for the Terriers and is the only goalie remaining on the roster.
