Northern Michigan forward Mike Santorelli has signed with the Nashville Predators, and will forgo his senior season with the Wildcats.
Santorelli completed his junior season at Northern Michigan in 2006-07, earning a spot on the 2006-07 All-American West Second Team and the All-CCHA First Team. The Vancouver native led the conference in goals (30) and power-play goals (11) and also led the Wildcats in points (30-17–47) and plus-minus rating (+6). Following the season, the 6-0, 190-pound forward was honored at Northern Michigan with the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award.
Santorelli was originally Nashville’s sixth-round choice, 178th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Nashville Predators GM David Poile signed Santorelli to a three-year deal that will pay him $475,000 in the first season, $500,000 in the second season and $525,000 in the third season at the NHL level. He will be paid $60,000 at the minor-league level throughout the length of the contract.
