KVRR Sports, the FOX affiliate in Fargo, North Dakota, is reporting that 2014 fifth-round pick Shane Gerich will forego his senior season with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and sign an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.

Gersich was arguably ready to play professional hockey this season, but wanted to take more of a leadership role on his college team.

Sources: Shane Gersich will forego his senior season with #UND and sign with the Washington Capitals. — KVRR Sports (@KVRRSports) March 21, 2018

According to KVRR, Gersich and his agent are still hammering out the details of the contract.

Still working on the specifics — KVRR Sports (@KVRRSports) March 21, 2018

The Grand Fork Herald’s Brad Schlossman reported something similar.

Junior forward Shane Gersich entered into contract negotiations with the Washington Capitals, and while nothing is official yet, a deal is expected to get done soon.

During last year’s Development Camp, Gersich impressed many with his slick skating and finishing ability.

“From the forwards perspective, Shane Gersich, to me was by far the most impressive,” Bears head coach Troy Mann said to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan. “He looked great. I know it’s developmental camp, but he certainly looked like a guy who would fit great in Hershey as a left-winger.”

“I think he did a great job at rookie camp. He was one of our best players if not the best player at camp,” general manager Brian MacLellan said in to NBC Sports Washington’s JJ Regan. “Really happy about the way he’s progressed and where we picked him. I think Ross Mahoney did a great job with that pick.”

During his sophomore season, Gersich scored 21 goals and 16 assists in 40 games. Gersich added 13 goals and 16 assists in 40 games during his junior year, leading the Fighting Hawks in shots (125).

Gersich will immediately become one of the Capitals most talented players in a system lacking top end talent, likely joining Ilya Samsonov and Axel Jonsson-Fjällby in North America next season.

Gersich is good friends with standout rookie and 2018 NHL All-Star Game MVP Brock Boeser, who left the Fighting Hawks last year.

As a freshman, Gersich won a NCAA championship with UND in 2016. Gersich is the nephew of former NHL forwards Aaron, Neal and Paul Broten.

S/T to @jacksogp for the heads up.

Headline photo: Amanda Bowen