It’s the no-brainer, unrestricted free agent signing of the 2022 post-college hockey season, in undrafted center, twice captain Colin Bilek(6) at Army West Point Black Knights‘ gets a AHL contract with Manitoba Moose for 2022/2023 and stays on Winnipeg Jets‘ radar.
The 5’11” 195 lbs. forward came away from 2021/2022 with a college career high 20 assists and 31 points in 34 NCAA Division 1 games.
He scored 18 goals as a junior.
The Brighton, MI native also had 18 goals in each of his 2 years of junior hockey with Northeast Generals.
He also posted 22 and 32 assists.
The 25-year old will certainly arrive ready to compete for a roster spot as a rookie.
He skates only a couple of games with the big club before being dispatched to ECHL affiliate Trois-Rivieres Lions, where he has a decent 14 goals and 9 assists in 46 games.
As the trade deadline looms, he gets a new address as Rockford Ice Hogs will adopt his contract, but likely will start with Indy Fuel.
We will see if he can make a bigger difference for a playoff tilted team.
After just 1 game with new contract club and then being reassigned down, he 7 goals and 4 assists in 18 games, then another 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 playoff matchups, he gains their confidence to have him back in an Ice Hogs‘ jersey for 2023/2024.
He would be reassigned down for the entire frame, but got settled and started connecting regularly for 20 goals and 23 assists in 51 games with a +5 rating.
For 2024/2025, he officially signs with the Fuel to try to improve their playoff push.