It sort of looks like he was delayed going to college hockey and that's why he's only just turning pro. He played a bit in the US and then in Canada and it sort of looks like when he didn't catch on with a Canadian team, he opted to go to college to keep playing at 21.
He's got a few accolades in the College system:
2010-2011 NCAA (Hockey East) All-Academic Team
2011-2012 NCAA (Hockey East) Second All-Star Team
NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars
NCAA (New England) Most Improved Player "Hines Award"
2012-2013 NCAA (Hockey East) Champion
NCAA (Hockey East) Reg. Season Champion
Found some other info on him for those who might not be familiar:
http://www.goriverhawks.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1964
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...l-destination/
http://www.boston.com/sports/college...lowell_hockey/