Cornell University Big Red senior captain, defenseman Sam Walinski(70) signs an pto with Colorado Eagles and in 2 games already has a 1st AHL goal and an assist with a +3 rating on a playoff bound club.
Undrafted, parent club Colorado Avalanche inked him to a 2-year NHL deal after he posted a college career best 8 goals, junior season tying 18 assists and new high 26 points with a +10 rating, which was a +20 in his junior session.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. blue liner put up some magical points in his 2nd NAHL junior frame with Bismarck Bobcats, striking for 14 goals and 31 assists in 59 games with another +20 rating.
From Lakeville, MN, the 24-year old gets lucky, but could just be the right unrestricted pick up.
He will remember November 13 going forward, as that is the date of his NHL debut.
In a 5-1 win, he skated 17 shifts for 12:02 worth of ice time, had 1 shot, 1 hit and was a +1, when it was all done.
Last season he appears in 76 games, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists with a +8 rating and earns another season as an unrestricted free agent, keeping him an Avalanche.