Undrafted 7th year left wing Darren Archibald(25) signs on for a third season with Utica Comets after scoring a new best, team leading 23 goals and 47 points in 2016/2017.
He also put up 184 shots on net in a career high 76 AHL games.
The big 6’3″ 209 lbs. forward was originally on a three year entry deal with Vancouver Canucks after point-per-game totals in his last pair of campaigns in the OHL with Niagara IceDogs and Barrie Colts.
Somewhat slow to start once turning pro he spent most of his rookie year on reassignment with Kalamazoo Wings, but took up where he left off on the scoring sheet through juniors.
As a sophomore skater he would spend more time with the direct farm club in upper state New York but still played 18 games at the lower level.
By the time the third year of his contract rolled around he was readying himself for his NHL debut, which he was allotted through 16 games on three recalls scoring a goal and 2 assists with a +1 rating but was never went back up again even after twice extending.
For 2015/2016, he initially agreed to a term back in the ECHL but after 6 games was promoted and signed.
With another strong performance, the 27-year old could potentially play himself into another big league contract, as he stays on the radar of the only team he’s played for, or will split overseas and likely make quite an impact.