New Jersey Devils agree to terms with Kapla
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The New Jersey Devils announced on Monday that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Michael Kapla.

New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President and general manager Ray Shero announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Michael Kapla.

The one-year, two-way deal is worth $874,125 at the NHL level and $70K at the AHL level. He will be a restricted free agent again at the end of next season.

Kapla, 23, posted six goals and 15 assists for 21 points with 22 penalty minutes in 63 games during his first full professional season with the AHL Binghamton Devils.

Kapla initially signed on March 28, 2017, after spending the previous four seasons with University of Massachusetts-Lowell (HE).  In his senior season, he 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. Through 152 collegiate games, the left-shooting defenseman has recorded 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points while accumulating 100 penalty minutes.

After he signed in 2017, head coach John Hynes spoke about what he liked in Kapla.

“He’s a real character guy. He’s a two-year captain at Lowell, so from the personality perspective, he’s more of what we’re looking to add into our organization,” Devils coach John Hynes said to Chris Ryan of NJ.com. “Some leadership, some vocalness, some guys who have the self-assuredness to bring a winning mindset and environment to the room.”

The 6-foot-0, 201-pound Eau Claire, WI native was voted the Binghamton Devils Rookie of the Year during the 2017-18 season.

He was not called up to the Devils club last season.

The defenseman will look for another opportunity to make the Devils lineup in the team’s upcoming training camp this September. His size and smarts on the ice, with a year in the AHL, could give him an opportunity to open some eyes in preseason action.

A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]