The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with minor league forward Travis St. Denis to a two-year, two-way contract after a good season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Since St. Denis is a North American-based player and already 25, he is not subject to the entry-level contract system. No word yet on the financial details, but it is likely to be a near minimum level deal.
St. Denis has played the last two seasons for Bridgeport on an AHL contract, scoring 44 points this season in 74 games. The former NCAA star with Quinnipiac University, St. Denis was undrafted and overlooked because of his small stature. Standing 5’7″ 170-lbs, St. Denis uses his speed and quickness to create room in the offensive zone and hasn’t been slowed down by the grind of an AHL season. The reward of a two-way deal doesn’t guarantee that he’ll make the NHL one day, but it does give the Islanders the option of giving him a shot should injuries arise.
Bridgeport missed out on the playoffs this season because of their tough division, but will be back next year with their top scorer in tow. We’ll have to wait and see if the team injects even more talent into the system this summer to try and topple one of the top four teams in the Atlantic.