Prince George,  B.C. – Prince George Cougars General Manager Todd Harkins announced today that 1996-born forward Colby McAuley (Sherwood Park, AB) has signed a two year contract with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda.

McAuley was a free-agent invite to Cougars Training Camp in 2014 and signed a Standard WHL Player Agreement once camp concluded. Since then he’s suited up in 191 career WHL games and has notched 44 goals, 52 assists, 318 penalty minutes and was a +17. In 2016-17 he set new season highs offensively with 26 goals, 29 assists and led the team in playoff scoring with four goals and four assists in six games. He served as an alternate captain in each of the past two seasons. At the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, McAuley inked an Amateur Tryout contract with the Barracuda and registered two assists in four games.

“Colby has worked relentlessly over the past three seasons to get himself to this point and to see him sign professionally with the San Jose Sharks organization is a testament to his passion and his commitment to the game of hockey,” said Cougars General Manager, Todd Harkins. “Colby McAuley is proof that it doesn’t matter if you’re drafted to the WHL, or drafted to the NHL – If you work hard enough and you have the right focus, you’re going to get opportunities at the next level. We are so happy for Colby and his family and we wish him the very best as he continues his pro hockey career with the San Jose Barracuda.”

Tomorrow night the Barracuda continue their best-of-seven playoff series with the San Diego Gulls when they take the ice on the road for Game 3. So far the series is tied 1-1. The puck drops at 7 PM local time.