Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jerry D’Amigo will not be returning to NCAA hockey in the fall and a contract with the big club could be announced as early as Wednesday, sources tell Sportsnet.
D’Amigo was a standout at Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute (RPI) during his freshman season but is giving up his NCAA eligibility for a shot to turn pro. Should he sign with the Leafs, the left winger could play for the Marlies, Toronto’s AHL affiliate, or the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers who own his CHL rights.
Selected 158th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, D’Amigo shot up Toronto’s depth chart after playing a pivotal role on the U.S.’s gold-medal winning team at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. He tied for third in tournament scoring, matching Canada’s Taylor Hall with six goals and six assists.
At RPI last year, D’Amigo recorded 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 35 games.
Should he sign an entry-level deal with the Leafs, he will join fellow prospect Nazem Kardi as rookies trying to crack the lineup at camp next month.
