Leafs organization signs an NCAA free agent who outscored Matthew Knies this year
As the Toronto Maple Leafs eagerly await the conclusion of Matthew Knies' NCAA season, the organization is still keeping other NCAA free agents in mind for other roles within the organization. On Tuesday, the club dipped into that NCAA free agent market and plucked a very intriguing young player, signing him to a future AHL contract.
The Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, announced this morning that they have inked NCAA forward Grant Cruikshank to an amateur tryout for the remainder of this AHL season and have also signed him to a 1-year AHL contract, which will take effect beginning next season.
Cruikshank was a teammate of fellow Leafs prospect Veeti Miettinen this season at St. Cloud State, who, coincidentally, may have an entry level contract announcement of his own coming up with the Leafs.
Cruikshank registered 23 goals this season for St. Cloud State, which is surprisingly more than the Leafs' top prospect, Matthew Knies, has scored with the University of Minnesota (Knies is currently sitting at 21 goals). Cruikshank finished his NCAA season tied for 3rd in goals with David Silye, and behind only Adam Fantilli and Jason Polin, who have 29 and 30 goals, respectively. Cruikshank had 38 points in 41 games this season.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 479 ANSWERS Leafs organization signs an NCAA free agent who outscored Matthew Knies this year Will Grant Cruikshank be an NHL player? | ||
| Yes, within the next 2 years | 162 | 33.8 % |
| Yes, but not for awhile | 182 | 38 % |
| No, I don't think so | 135 | 28.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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