They're teammates with the Ontario Hockey League's Soo Greyhounds and they're one step closer to being teammates in the National Hockey League as well.
Greyhounds captain Blake Speers and defenceman Colton White each signed entry-level contracts with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.
Financial terms of the three-year contracts were not released.
Both have spent the past three seasons with the Greyhounds.
Both players participated in the 2016 Prospects Challenge with New Jersey in Buffalo, NY.
In two games at the tournament, Speers had three goals and an assist. White also appeared in two games at the tournament.
Speers, 19, posted career highs with the Greyhounds last season, scoring 26 goals and 74 points in 68 regular season games. He added six goals and 10 points in 12 playoff games.
Prior to the Greyhounds training camp Speers, a third round pick by the Devils in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, said he was hoping to continue taking on a leadership role he assumed prior to last season.
"It could be my final season in the league this year and it’s really big just to be a really good leader and a positive influence for the younger guys in the room,” Speers said. “With my work in the off-season and how much effort I put in, the stats are going to come so I’m not going to put a huge emphasis on that. I’ve grown past that a little bit. I’m just looking to have a really successful team year this year and with team success, individual success will come for everyone.”
Also 19, White scored nine goals and 35 points in 68 games for the Greyhounds last season. He added a goal and two assists in 12 playoff games.
The Devils selected White in the fourth round of the 2015 draft.
