University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman Jay Rosehill today signed a multi-year contract with the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, foregoing, in the process, his final three years of eligiblity with the Bulldogs.

Rosehill, a 6-3, 210-pound native of Olds, Alberta, suited up in 34 of UMD's 38 games this past winter and concluded his debut collegiate season with five points (all assists). He also racked up 103 penalty minutes -- the 10th highest single-season total in club history on 42 infractions.

Rosehill, who turned 20 in July, was selected by Tampa Bay in the seventh round (227th pick overall) in the 2003 National Hockey League Draft and played two years with the Olds Grizzlies before enrolling at UMD.

Rosehill is the first Bulldog to leave early since defenseman Craig Weller departed for the Western Hockey League following his freshman season in 2000-01. Another blueliner, Curtis Doell, was the last UMD skater to sign with an NHL team before his playing days had ended. He and the Florida Panthers agreed to contract terms in May 1998, two months after Doell had completed his second year in a Bulldog uniform.