The Sound Tigers will welcome back Ryan Hitchcock next season, who scored nine points in 16 games on an amateur tryout with Bridgeport.
The New York Islanders are looking to bolster their talent pool this offseason, and the first step was taken today in signing Ryan Hitchcock to a two-year deal.A native of Manhasset, NY, Hitchcock is a graduate of Yale University where he scored 21 goals and 68 points in 103 career NCAA games and captained the team during his senior year.
In 2015, Hitchcock helped Team USA earn Bronze at the 2015 U20 World Junior Championships and led Team USA to a Gold Medal at the 2014 U18 World Junior Championships with two goals and four points in those seven games.
Hitchcock joined the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in March when he was signed to an ATO. In just his second game, Hitchcock recorded a three-assist night in a contest against the Rochester Americans on March 15, and scored his first professional goal on March 25.
Sound Tigers Head Coach Brent Thompson complimented the 5’10”, 180-pound forwards tenacity:
“He’s tenacious on the forecheck, really done a nice job and well coached at Yale. Overall he’s a great little hockey player and he wants to get better day in and day out.”
Hitchcock was also eager to express his excitement with News 8:
“It’s been a lifelong dream. My parents made a lot of sacrifices and I definitely made a little bit of sacrifice myself. It was always the only thing I wanted to do, and despite the fact I went to Yale, I’m happy I’m finally playing professionally.”
The Sound Tigers and Isles GM Garth Snow will continue to look for talent to plug the several gaps left behind after several NHL promotions last season including a plethora of defensemen and forwards such as Tanner Fritz and Ross Johnston.
