By Rob Vollman / NHL.com Correspondent
When Christian Ehrhoff of the Boston Bruins scored a goal in a preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, it brought him one stride closer to earning an NHL contract, and motivated others who also are on a professional tryout, better known as a PTO.
Playing on a PTO is a difficult way to earn an NHL roster spot, which makes those who defy the odds and extend their careers that way inspirational.
The best example last season was forward Lee Stempniak, who played well enough on a tryout at New Jersey Devils training camp that he signed with the Devils on Oct. 3, 2015, was traded to the Boston Bruins on Feb. 29, and had 51 points, one shy of his NHL career-high. On July 1 Stempniak signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Here’s a look at one intriguing player to receive a tryout during this preseason.
Tom McCollum
Goalie
Status: Released from PTO by Los Angeles Kings
McCollum has 81 minutes of NHL experience, with the Detroit Red Wings in 2010-11 and 2014-15, so his performance in the American Hockey League takes on added importance.
During the past three seasons with Grand Rapids, the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, McCollum has a save percentage of .920 in 113 games. Does AHL success translate to the NHL? It did for his predecessor, the Red Wings’ Petr Mrazek, who had a .920 save percentage in 87 AHL games in three seasons (2012-15) before becoming a No. 1 NHL goaltender. He has a .920 save percentage in 94 regular-season games.
Given the success of Mrazek and Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins, it makes sense to take a closer look at those who, like McCollum, have performed consistently well in the AHL.
(Reprinted with permission of NHL.com. The full story can be found on NHL.com)
