College stars Leonard, Pasichnuk agree to join Sharks

The San Jose Sharks secured commitments from a pair of NCAA standouts.

Forward John Leonard and defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk both agreed to join the Sharks organization, the club announced Tuesday.

Leonard is one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, handed out annually to the nation's top men's college hockey player. The 21-year-old center led all Division I skaters with 27 goals in 33 games during his junior year at UMass-Amherst in 2019-20.

The Sharks selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft.

Pasichnuk racked up 37 points in 36 contests with Arizona State this season while serving as captain for the second straight campaign in his senior year. The 22-year-old led the nation's blue-liners in shots on goal (121), tied for second in goals, and finished third in points in 2019-20.

He leaves the Sun Devils as their all-time leader in games played, points, and assists.

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