AHL: Utica Signs Defenseman To PTO

The Utica Comets have signed defenseman Jackson van de Leest to a PTO. This move gives Utica another option as Santeri Hatakka was called up to the Utica Comets. Hatakka has four goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 41 games with the Comets. He has played in seven games with New Jersey, recording two assists.

van de Leest had previously signed with the Adirondack Thunder in mid-February and has played in 10 games, putting up two assists. The 6’7 defenceman began the year in USports as he was finishing up his final year of eligibility in USports with Dalhousie University. He had three goals and six assists for nine points with the Tigers.