With Jared Staal expected to miss tonight’s game against Norfolk due to injury, the Checkers have signed left wing Gabriel Desjardins to a professional tryout contract.
Desjardins, a 22-year-old rookie, joins the Checkers from their ECHL affiliate in Florida, where posted nine points (5g, 4a) in 12 games. He also has nine games of AHL experience with the Lake Erie Monsters, which were the only nine games he played at any level last season due to injury.
The 6-foot, 212-pound native of Montreal, Quebec, scored 185 points (85g, 100a) in 297 career Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games over five seasons with Halifax, Quebec and Rouyn-Noranda. The undrafted Desjardins has attended NHL development camps in San Jose and Tampa Bay.
Desjardins will become the fourth PTO signing in the Checkers’ lineup, all of which are at the forward position. A.J. Jenks, Andrew Rowe and Kyle Jean were already on the roster to fill in for injured centers Patrick Brown, Ben Holmstrom and Brody Sutter.