The latest, but certainly not least, of the burst of NCAA free agent signings this week was that of Salmon Arm Silverbacks alum and college hockey’s leading scorer at the end of the regular season, Taro Hirose of Michigan State.
The Detroit Red Wings, who didn’t have to go far afield to see Hirose this season as a junior with the Spartans, swooped in and secured his services on a two-year entry-level pro contract.
The native of Calgary was leading the NCAA in scoring when Michigan State’s season came to a close, a sweep in a best-of-three at the hands of No. 15-ranked Notre Dame. Hirose accumulated 15 goals and led the NCAA with 35 assists for 50 points in 36 games.
For his three-year college career, Hirose rang up 33 goals and 83 assists for 116 points in 106 games.
In two seasons with the Silverbacks, Hirose recored 33 goals and 88 assists for 121 points in 116 games. His younger brother Akito is a defenceman with this season’s Silverbacks team.
