Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher has announced that the club has signed forward Allan McPherson and defenseman Justin Baker to professional tryout contracts (PTO). In addition, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced that the Canucks reassigned forward Michael Zalewski to the Comets.
McPherson, 25, has collected 10 points (4-6-10) in 65 career American Hockey League games with the Abbotsford Heat and the Rochester Americans. This season the Kinburn, ON native has posted five points (1-4-5) in four games with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Last season, McPherson finished third on the Elmira Jackals in goals (19) and assists (30), and second in points (49).
Baker, 25, has recorded a goal and an assist in four games with the Brampton Beast of the ECHL this season. Last year, he collected seven points (3-4-7) in 24 regular season and postseason games en route to a Slovakian Extraliga Championship with the HK Nitra. He also appeared in 17 games with the Allen Americans of the ECHL, where he collected 10 points (2-8-10) and 16 penalty minutes. With the Americans, Baker was a member of the 2015 Kelly Cup champions, where he finished second on the team’s defensive unit in assists (29) and points (39).
Zalewski, 24, appeared in one game for the Canucks this season, where he recorded 13 shifts (8:03 TOI). The 6’2″, 195-pound left winger also skated in five games for the Comets this season where he has registered one point (0-1-1) and eight penalty minutes.
