After announcing the amateur tryouts for Matt Gaudreau and John Stevens earlier today, the New York Islanders have also signed Jake Bischoff to a two-year, entry-level contract. While the team did not reveal whether the deal was for this year or next, Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that Bischoff will sign an ATO for the remainder of the season and report to Bridgeport.
The 22-year old Bischoff was the Islanders’ seventh round pick in 2012, and was voted the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in his senior season at the University of Minnesota. A rock on the blueline for the Gophers this season, Bischoff registered 32 points in 38 games and served as an alternate captain for the second year. His excellent two-way game has developed even further this year, as he continues to look more and more like a future NHL defenseman.
While the Islanders try to make the playoffs in the NHL, the Sound Tigers are desperately trying to catch either Hershey or Providence for a spot in the AHL postseason. Bischoff will help them try to do that, but a five point spread with nine games remaining will be a very difficult task.