Free Agent With Boston Roots Excited To Suit Up For Bruins

It’s not every day you get the chance to play for your local team.

Defenseman Jordan Harris will get that chance with the Boston Bruins, signing a one-year, one-way contract for $825,000 during the first day of free agency.

The 25-year-old didn’t get a qualifying offer from his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him an unrestricted free agent. When Boston showed interest in signing him, he jumped at the opportunity to be signed by the team he grew up watching.

Harris grew up in Haverhill, Mass., which is just 35 miles north of the Bruins’ home of TD Garden.

“I’m super excited, obviously, being from Haverhill and knowing the history of the team – I’ve skated here for years at Warrior, I skated here in college and John McLean, the skills coach, I’ve been skating with him since I was 10,” Harris told the Boston Herald’s Steve Conroy. “I’m just really, really excited and proud, especially being from Haverhill. I think my parents are the happiest of anyone. It’s definitely really exciting.”

On top of growing up in Massachusetts, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound defenseman played for Northeastern University. He played four seasons and was named captain in his senior year. 

“Boston seemed most interested through the process, which is great,” he said. “You want to be a part of an organization that wants you as a player. It goes both ways. I’m definitely really excited and fortunate and happy to be here.”

During Harris’ 2024-25 season with the Blue Jackets, he skated in 33 games, tallying one goal and four assists. He was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round but was traded to Columbus in the Patrik Laine trade.