From the Associated Press in Grand Forks;
The University of North Dakota says UND senior defenseman Joe Finley has signed a contract with the NHL's Washington Capitals.UND says Finley will report Monday to the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa.
Finley was drafted by Washington in the first round, 27th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He's a native of Edina, Minn.
Finley had seven goals and 28 assists in 154 career games with the Fighting Sioux. He missed much of the first half of the season after suffering a concussion during the opening weekend.
The past several years the Caps have drafted big defensemen, and Finley is the epitome of the big blueline bruiser. At 6'7" and 240 pounds, he will be the biggest Cap should he play for them, and is only two inches shorter than Boston's Zdeno Chara, the tallest player in the league. As Tarik points out, Finley is a "defenseman who hits hard and plays with an edge. But he's also a raw talent..." Finley has been sent to Hershey, and will surely spend a few seasons there honing his skills.
