It\u2019s not every day you get the chance to play for your local team. <\/p>\n
Defenseman Jordan Harris will get that chance with the Boston Bruins, signing a one-year, one-way contract<\/a> for $825,000\u00a0during the first day of free agency.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old didn\u2019t get a qualifying offer from his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him an unrestricted free agent. When Boston showed interest in signing him, he jumped at the opportunity to be signed by the team he grew up watching.<\/p>\n Harris grew up in Haverhill, Mass., which is just 35 miles north of the Bruins\u2019 home of TD Garden.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m super excited, obviously, being from Haverhill and knowing the history of the team \u2013 I\u2019ve skated here for years at Warrior, I skated here in college and John McLean, the skills coach, I\u2019ve been skating with him since I was 10,\u201d Harris told the Boston Herald\u2019s Steve Conroy<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m just really, really excited and proud, especially being from Haverhill. I think my parents are the happiest of anyone. It\u2019s definitely really exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n On top of growing up in Massachusetts, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound defenseman played for Northeastern University. He played four seasons and was named captain in his senior year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cBoston seemed most interested through the process, which is great,\u201d he said. \u201cYou want to be a part of an organization that wants you as a player. It goes both ways. I\u2019m definitely really excited and fortunate and happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n During Harris\u2019 2024-25 season with the Blue Jackets, he skated in 33 games, tallying one goal and four assists. He was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round\u00a0but was traded to Columbus in the Patrik Laine trade. <\/p>\n \t