Devils Sign Michael Kapla to Entry-Level Deal

The New Jersey Devils today signed defenseman Michael Kapla to a two-year, entry-level contract. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ray Shero. The contract will begin with the 2016-17 season and he will report to New Jersey. He has been assigned no. 32.
Kapla, 22, has spent the previous four seasons, 2013-17, with University of Massachusetts-Lowell (HE). He most recently captained the River Hawks to the 2017 Hockey East Championship. He also received Hockey East All-Tournament Team honors and was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team. The Eau Claire, WI native ranked second among blueliners on his squad with a career-high 30 points, 3 goals and 27 assists, in 40 games during his final collegiate season. He notched a career-high four assists on Dec. 31 at Dartmouth in the Ledyard Classic Championship Game. Through 152 collegiate games, the left-shooting defenseman has recorded 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points while accumulating 100 penalty minutes.

During Kapla's freshman season, he was named to the 2014 Hockey East All-Rookie Team and was a member of the River Hawks' 2014 Conference Championship team. He also served as a co-captain during the 2015-16 season. Before attending UMass-Lowell, the 6-0, 200lb. blueliner spent two seasons with Sioux City (USHL) from 2011-13