Sophomore Evan Oberg, who enjoyed a breakout season with the University of Minnesota Duluth this past winter, has decided to forego his final two years of collegiate eligibility to play professionally as today the Vancouver Canucks announced they signed the free agent defenseman to a contract..

Oberg, a native of Forestburg, Alberta, placed second among Bulldog blueliners in scoring this past winter with seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points -- a 24-point increase from his injury-riddled rookie year -- while skating in all 43 games. He played some of his best hockey down the stretch and scored the memorable game-tying goal (with 0.8 seconds left in regulation) in UMD's 5-4 overtime victory over Princeton University on March 27 en route to attaining NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team recognition.

Oberg becomes the fourth Bulldog since 2007 to leave school early for the professional ranks, joining winger Mason Raymond (with Vancouver in 2007) and defensemen Matt Niskanen (Dallas in 2007) and Jason Garrison (Florida in 2008).