Alex Kerfoot has a lot in common with Jimmy Vesey.
And soon, perhaps even more.
Kerfoot, the senior forward who led Harvard in scoring this year en route to a Hobey Baker nomination, was drafted by the Devils in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. But much like Jimmy Vesey -- who also went to Harvard, and who also was nominated (and won) the Hobey in his senior year -- Kerfoot can balk on signing with the team that drafted him, and be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer.
A Vancouver native, there’s widespread speculation the Canucks would be interested in securing Kerfoot’s services. But the 22-year-old insists he’ll meet with the Devils first, before making any decisions.
“It’s exciting, I grew up a Canucks fan and I still follow them,” Kerfoot said, per News 1130. “But at this time I’m just focused on Harvard and my plan is to meet with the Devils after the season.
“It was a dream to play for the Canucks growing up, but I’m property of New Jersey and I’m not looking past the Devils at this point.”
Vesey, you’ll recall, opted not to sign with the team that drafted him -- Nashville -- and had his rights flipped to the Sabres before passing on them as well. He eventually signed on with the Rangers, and has 24 points through 69 games in his rookie campaign.
Kerfoot’s situation is also similar to that of Minnesota d-man Mike Reilly. Originally drafted by Columbus, Reilly had huge ties to Minnesota, where he played in college, and eventually spurned the Blue Jackets to sign with the Wild (where his dad, also named Mike, was a minority owner).
Of note, Kerfoot’s father, Greg, is part of the ownership group of Vancouver’s Major League Soccer franchise, the Whitecaps.