Here is the official announcement on RPI star Jerry D'Amigo, in my opinion he was one of the better freshman in college hockey last season but everything that I have read on the kid leads me to believe that he wasn't/isn't going to play in the NHL this season so his signing does puzzle some.
NHL.COM --- Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms on a three-year entry level contract with forward Jerry D’Amigo (pronounced dah-MEE-goh).
“We’ve been very pleased with Jerry’s progression over the past 12 months,” said Burke. “Seth Appert and the rest of the coaching staff at R.P.I. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) have done a really nice job of preparing Jerry for the next stage in his development. We look forward to having him at training camp.”
D’Amigo, 19, appeared in 35 games with the R.P.I. Engineers of the ECAC last season, recording 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) and 41 penalty minutes. The 5-11, 208-pound winger ranked fifth nationally in points per game by a rookie (0.97), led R.P.I. in game-winning goals (3), and finished second in shorthanded goals (1). For his efforts, D’Amigo was selected to the ECAC All-Rookie Team and he was named ECAC Hockey’s Rookie of the Year.
The native of Binghamton, New York, represented the United States at the 2010 World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan. D’Amigo finished tied for third in tournament scoring with 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in seven games to help lead Team USA to a gold medal.
This would be a big loss for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jerry D'Amigo was a beast during the WJC and one of the best freshmen in the ECAC. This is just another early departure and a big time loss for RPI and college hockey. According to Yahoo Sports D'Amigo could end up playing in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies or in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers.
Yahoo! Sports is reporting that RPI forward Jerry D'Amigo will be signing a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, possibly as early as Wednesday.
D'Amigo, a native of Binghamton, was a sixth-round pick in last year's NHL draft by the Leafs. If he signs, the Leafs could assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, or he could play for the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, who hold his junior hockey rights.
He was the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year last season. [Parting Schotts]
Links to the Story
Adios D'Amigo: Leafs To Sign Prospect Jerry D'Amigo, Leaves RPI [Bleacher Report]
Leafs may sign U.S. junior star D’Amigo [TheRecord.com]
