ERIE, Pa. – Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas announced on Wednesday that Mercyhurst men's ice hockey junior defenseman, Joseph Duszak and the Leafs have agreed to a two-year future entry-level NHL contract starting for the 2019-2020 season.

"It still hasn't really hit me yet, but I'm excited to get things going in Toronto," said Duszak. "Mercyhurst as a whole was great to me. They taught me how to be good in my own end and did everything I could have asked for."

Duszak, a native of Franklin Square, N.Y., is the third player in five years – seventh player in program history – to sign an NHL contract. 

The other Lakers to sign NHL contracts include Adam Carlson (Washington Capitals), Dan O'Donoghue (Arizona Coyotes), Jamie Hunt (Washington Capitals), Jody Robinson (New York Islanders), T.J. Kemp (Edmonton Oilers), and Cullen Eddy (Philadelphia Flyers).

"We are very happy and excited for Joe and his family. He has worked his whole life to get this opportunity. His hopes and dreams are becoming a reality. Joe is a great young man who has developed into a terrific offensive defenseman. We will miss Joe very much, but we are all excited for Joe and we are excited to watch his continued development with the Toronto Maple Leafs as he continues his quest to play in the National Hockey League," said Mercyhurst head coach Rick Gotkin.

Duszak has recorded 30 goals and 69 assists for 99 points in 101 games with the Lakers. He had a break out year this season leading the Laker roster with 16 goals, 31 assists and 47 points. Duszak finished the season with a +8 plus/minus rating and 32 blocked shots in the defensive zone.

Currently Duszak is ranked second in the nation with 1.27 points per game as a defenseman, sixth in the nation in points overall and eighth in the nation with 0.84 assists per game.

In Atlantic Hockey, Duszak is ranked first in points per game, assists per game and points per game as a defenseman. He is ranked second with 125 shots on goal, tied for third with four game-winning goals and is ranked sixth with 0.43 goals per game.

"Our program would like to express its thanks to the Mercyhurst University Men's Hockey Team and Coach Gotkin for their role in Joey's development on and off the ice. The work Mercyhurst has done with Joey and his work in maximizing his opportunity during his three years as a Laker is what caught the attention of our program and made signing Joey to an NHL contract a priority for us. We look forward to welcoming Joey to Toronto and working to pick up Joey's development from Mercyhurst," said Maple Leaf general manager Kyle Dubas.

Duszak will head to Toronto on Thursday.

Click HERE for the offical Maple Leafs release.