It’s that time of year again in the American Hockey League. As European, major junior and collegiate seasons wind down, the amateur tryout engines revs up. Tons of names you know have been ATO additions to the AHL over the years including Jake Oettinger, Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque with Texas and even Mason Marchment with the Marlies back in 2016.
To be pedantically clear, there are two ways that these drafted players can join late in the season. The first is amateur tryouts for players who have not signed an entry-level contract with the parent club. The other is simple reassignment for players who have signed a deal.