Bowling Green junior forward Ryan Carpenter has signed a free agent contract with the San Jose Sharks, ending his career at Bowling Green with one year of eligibility remaining. Carpenter, a 6-1 180 lbs. forward originally from Oviedo, Florida, scored 8 goals and 8 assists for 16 points in 15 games played this season with the Falcons.

Carpenter came into this season projected as one of the better free agent prospects in college hockey, after leading the Falcons in scoring with 18 goals and 15 assists in his sophoore season. But poor luck kept him from getting on track this year. He suffered a finger injury prior to the season that required surgery, holding him out until November. The week Carpenter was scheduled to return for his first game, he suffered a broken foot in practice. Carpenter wasn't able to play his first game until January 10th this year. Once he made it back into the line-up, Carpenter was excellent, scoring in 12 of the 16 games he played, and averaging just over a point per game.

Carpenter is a strong, fast forward that was excellent at creating offensive opportunities for himself at Bowling Green. He's got pro-style size and plays an effective two-way game as well, which should make him valuable at the next level. Carpenter also served as captain of the Falcons in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

His decision to turn pro was aided by the fact that he will graduate from Bowling Green this spring with a degree in, a year ahead of schedule, with a degree in accounting and a 3.9 grade point average.