Matt Gaudreau (SI.com)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (June 13, 2017) –  The Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced today forward Matt Gaudreau  has agreed to terms on an American Hockey League contract for the 2017-18 season.

Gaudreau, 22, completed a four-year career at Boston College in March, posting career highs in goals (eight), assists (27) and points (35) in 40 games last season. He ranked second on the Eagles in scoring and led the team in assists during his senior campaign. Overall, Gaudreau recorded 63 points (16 goals, 47 assists) and a plus-25 rating in 119 career contests with Boston College. He signed an amateur tryout (ATO) with Bridgeport on March 28, training with the team in the final weeks of the 2016-17 season.

Prior to his time at Boston College, Gaudreau, the native of Carneys Point Township, N.J., played two seasons with the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2011-13. He notched 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists) in 106 games.

The 5’9, 150-pound winger is the younger brother of Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, who also played at Boston College prior to turning pro.

It was August of 2011. Johnny, two academic years older than Matty, asked his younger brother to pick a college for the two of them to commit to. Matty hadn’t even began his career in the USHL with Omaha. He picked Boston College. When it was time for Matty to head to Beantown, Johnny made a decision to stay another year in NCAA to have the chance to wear the Screaming Eagles Jersey with his brother Matty. Johnny made the right decision; he would go on to win the Hobey Baker Award that year as top NCAA Division I ice hockey player. Matty, on the other hand, appeared in only eight games, playing limited fourth-line minutes.

In his second season, Matty Gaudreau had more minutes in the box than points. He was for sure a vocal player, but this did not help him necessarily put the puck in the net.

But a lot has changed in four years. Matty just completed his senior year at BC, leading the team with 27 assists and tied for first with 35 points in 40 games. He was used in just about every on-ice situation; his speed was great for the penalty kill, and his vision was superb for the power play. At even strength, he consistently played in top-six roles. He’s not quite as elusive as his brother, but he’s proven to be stronger in the defensive zone, probably from the years growing up playing one-on-one with each other.

Perhaps a trip to the Devils’ development camp in August 2015 was the catalyst. Perhaps it was seeing his brother’s Hobey Baker Trophy that motivated him to keep getting better. Most likely, it was both. Whatever it was, it worked. Now, Garth Snow has added yet another solid prospect to the pool in Bridgeport. Matty and Johnny started on the same route to the pros. Hopefully, Matty will get to join his brother in the National Hockey League as well.