(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Americans announced today that the team has signed forward Justin Vaive to an American Hockey League contract for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
Vaive, 27, has appeared in 21 games game with the Amerks this season, notching one assist. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound forward began the season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL before signing a Professional Tryout with the Amerks on Oct. 15.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Vaive spent the entire 2015-16 campaign with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he scored 11 goals and added six assists for 17 points in 63 games. In 229 career AHL games with San Antonio, Hartford, Bridgeport and Rochester, Vaive has amassed 59 points on 28 goals and 30 assists. He posted his best season as a pro in 2014-15 with Hartford, capturing career-highs in goals (14), assists (18) and points (32) while also adding one assist in eight playoff contests for the Wolf Pack.
Prior to turning pro, Vaive played four years at Miami University (Ohio), recording 46 points (23+23) in 160 games for the RedHawks. He was drafted in the fourth round (92nd overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.