It started off as a normal day for University of Michigan centre Josh Norris. The 19-year old had just woke from a short nap and was about to head to the practice rink, but first the phone rang.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson was on the line informing Norris he had been traded to the Senators. Though Norris heard rumours during the day that Erik Karlsson may be dealt to the Sharks, he had no idea he would be one of the players involved in the blockbuster trade.

“I wasn’t looking into it too much. Obviously wasn’t thinking about getting traded. I guess I was wrong,” Norris told Sporting News Friday evening.

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“I was little bit shocked. I understand this is a business and I understand San Jose is trying to win right now. Erik Karlsson is a generational talent. They had to give away some pieces. I appreciate Doug giving me a call and telling me I was being traded. That was nice of him.”

Thirty minutes later, Senators GM Pierre Dorion reached out to the Sharks 2017 first-round pick - telling Norris how he liked him as a player and liked what he thought of Norris’ demeanour off the ice.

Later in the day, Dorion was asked on TSN1200 what he liked most about the acquisition of the UMichigan sophomore.

“He was Brady Tkachuk’s best friend.”

Norris chuckled when told this by Sporting News.

“Brady and I are really close -- we’re definitely best friends,” Norris said. “Obviously playing together at the US for two years. We were linemates there. We had a lot of success, won a gold medal at the U18’s. We had a great relationship, pushed each other as hockey players. We want to win and we want to bring that attitude to the Senators organization.”

Norris and Tkachuk were teammates for two seasons with the United States National Development Team Program. The Michigan native led the USNDTP U18 squad in goals (27) and points (61) in 2016-17, a team that included Tkachuk and fellow NHL draft selections Evan Barratt, Quinn Hughes and Grant Mismash.

At six-foot-one, 190 pounds, two inches shorter than Tkachuk, Norris shares several attributes with his pal.

“We both play physical. We don’t shy away from that part. We play well in our zone and also have offensive instincts. We can put the puck in the net. What’s really underrated about Brady is; that he is a good passer,” noted Norris.

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Tkachuk isn’t the only member of the Senators organization Norris is familiar with.

Raised in Michigan, Norris counts current Senators defenseman Christian Wolanin and the club’s most-recent fourth-round selection, Jonathan Gruden, as friends. A dual citizen (his dad was born in Newfoundland), Norris also played with Logan Brown at the 2018 World Juniors.

Norris shares something else in common with Brown, Gruden, Tkachuk and Wolanin. His dad, Dwayne, is a former NHL player. While the elder Norris totalled only seven games with the Nordiques and Ducks in the mid-nineties, he earned World Junior gold for Canada in 1990 and took home a silver medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games.

I would like to thank the @SanJoseSharks for drafting me last year and making a dream come true. I’m super excited to be joining the @Senators organization and am looking forward to the future. Time to get to work to prep for the season at Michigan! #SensArmy — Josh Norris (@joshnorris10) September 14, 2018

Having notched eight goals, 15 assists as a freshman this past season, Michigan associate coach Bill Muckalt believes Norris is only scratching the surface of his potential and is primed for a breakout campaign.

“The Senators are getting a great kid and competitor,” Muckalt told Sporting News. “He’s a trusted player in all situations. Josh is a 200-foot player who possesses a combination of skill and grit. He has a very good release, shot, also good vision. Josh has taken great strides this summer. He looks more confident, stronger and is poised to have a big year for us.”

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For Sens fans who hope he turns pro after the upcoming season, Norris hasn’t even thought that far ahead yet.

“I haven’t really thought about it too much. I have it on my mind to just have a great year, showing that I’m well worth what San Jose picked me at (19th overall). Ottawa gave up a pretty big player to get me and I want to prove that. My mind isn’t really on whether I’ll sign a contract in seven or eight months.”