3rd year defenseman Sam Klassen(3) signs a one-year AHL deal with Connecticut Whale after spending most his first two seasons with the team while under an entry-level contract with their parent club, New York Rangers.
With all the depth on the Blueshirts‘ blue line, it was tough for the undrafted d-man to make an impression. He appeared in a career high 36 AHL games in 2011/2012 and put up his first pro point, an assist.
At 6’1 195 lbs. he doesn’t play an overly physical game but put up some offensive numbers in juniors, so the team must think the 23-year old still has the ability to become a puck-moving defenseman as a pro.
In 89 ECHL games with Greenville Road Warriors he’s scored 4 times and added 19 assists with most of those coming in his rookie campaign, when he got to spend more time with just one minor leage team.
He’ll need to step it up in training camp and early in the preseason to earn a roster spot.
