University of Denver goaltender Matt Davis signed a one-year contract with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda that will begin in the 2025-26 season, DU announced Tuesday.
Davis earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the 2024 national championship, making 35 saves and shutting out No. 1-ranked Boston College to help the Pios claim their 10th national title. The 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, followed that up with a 29-10-1 record this season for the Pioneers, who made their second straight run to the Frozen Four and their third appearance in four years. His 29 victories in 2024-25 rank second all-time at the school, behind only George Kirkwood, who had 30 in 1960-61.
A 2025 Richter Award semifinalist, Davis put up a .924 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against average this season. In his collegiate career, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound netminder appeared in 90 games (83 starts) and recorded 59 wins, a .921 save percentage, 2.13 goals-against average, .783 winning percentage as a starter, and five shutouts.
The Barracuda are the top affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and will open their first-round playoff series Thursday against the Ontario Reign. Their current goalie room includes 2020 No. 11 draft pick Yaroslav Askarov, 35-year-old Aaron Dell and Gabriel Carriere, a 2024 undrafted signee out of Vermont.
Davis is among several departing DU players signing pro contracts. Pioneers forward Jared Wright signed with the Los Angeles Kings, forward Jack Devine signed with the Florida Panthers, defenseman Zeev Buium is headed to the Minnesota Wild, and forward Carter King signed with his hometown Calgary Flames.
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