UMD’s Will Francis officially signs AHL deal
UMD men's hockey senior defenseman Will Francis.
Three-time cancer survivor Will Francis has officially signed an AHL deal. The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) senior inked an amateur tryout (ATO) agreement with the San Diego Gulls on Thursday. They are affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted Francis 163rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
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Francis, 24, skated in 37 career games for the Bulldogs from 2021-25, collecting one assist. The 6’5” defenseman also skated in 69 career United States Hockey League (USHL) games for Cedar Rapids, recording 14 points off three goals and 11 assists.
Francis, a St. Paul native, missed all of the 2020-21 and 2023-24 UMD men’s hockey seasons, and much of the 2021-22 and 2024-25 seasons due to his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Francis returned from his third bout of cancer in time for the Bulldogs’ series at St. Cloud State University March 7-8, 2025.
Will Power
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) March 20, 2025
We have signed Will Francis to an Amateur Tryout (ATO).
