After posting a career high 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) for Texas Stars through 55 AHL games, 7th year center Ethan Werek(29) was unable for a third time to land a contract and had to agree to a deal in the lower league.
He signed for 2017/2018 with Brampton Beast, but just a day before the ECHL season was to begin Belleville Senators called and wanted him to return after he was in training camp with the club.
The decently-sized forward, who looks a bit smaller than the 6’2″ he’s listed at got off to a good start immediately with the new squad potting two goals and an assist in his debut and is currently tied for the lead in team scoring with 9 points.
Within a couple of weeks his pto was upped to an spc.
The 26-year old has a real chance to post career high scoring numbers this season and will either get an extension where he is or leave for some better paydays across the ocean.
Ethan Werek (20)
6th year center Ethan Werek(20) signed his 2nd ECHL contract to start 2016/2017 with Orlando Solar Bears but only played a pair of games scoring a goal and two assists before being loaned to Texas Stars, where he was recently given an spc to finish out the season.
In 21 AHL games he has 3 goals and 6 assists with a +2 rating.
The former New York Rangers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#47 overall) was traded to Arizona Coyotes before ever really be part of their system.
Signed to a three year entry level deal, he skated for affiliate Portland Pirates exclusively but was left unqualified heading into 2014/2015.
He would next agree to terms with Providence Bruins but was still unable to elevate his point production to what it was through three years of juniors in the OHL with Kingston Frontenacs when he was a point-per-game player.
The 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward inked his first contract in the lower league with Florida Everblades heading into 2015/2016, but after two months potting 12 goals and 14 assists in 24 games ith a +17 rating was loaned up to Charlotte Checkers.
He played the rest of the regular calendar and even signed a contract but was returned to appear in his first Kelly Cup Playoffs.
At just 25-years old, it will be interesting to see where he heads next but it would be no surprise to see him leave North America to pursue a higher level of hockey overseas.