Philadelphia Flyers Sign Ivy League Hockey Player of the Year Zolnierczyk

The Philadelphia Flyers signed former Brown University forward Harry Zolnierczyk, the reigning Ivy League hockey Player of the Year.

Zolnierczyk, 23, agreed on an entry-level contract for the 2011-12 season, the Flyers said in an e-mailed news release yesterday. He will join Philadelphia’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, on an amateur tryout agreement, the Brown Daily Herald reported on its website.

“It’s something you dream about your entire life, and now that it’s finally come true, it’s almost surreal,” Zolnierczyk was cited as saying by the newspaper.

Aaron Volpatti on Dec. 30 became the first ex-Brown player other than a goalie to appear in a National Hockey League game since Ryan Mulhern played in three games for the Washington Capitals during the 1997-98 season. Volpatti has played in 15 NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks.

Brown has had 28 players drafted by NHL teams, according to the school’s website. Curt Bennett was among the most successful in the NHL, playing from 1971 to 1980 for teams including the New York Rangers, Atlanta Flames and St. Louis Blues.

Zolnierczyk had 33 points in his junior year and led the Bears in scoring with 16 goals and 31 points in 2010-11.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dex McLuskey in Dallas at dmcluskey@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net.