The Cleveland Monsters signed two of the top prospects for the Columbus Blue Jackets to amateur tryout agreements (ATO) on Thursday. This allows both Charlie Elick and Evan Gardner to finish the remainder of the season in the AHL.
Elick was picked by the Blue Jackets in the second round (#36 overall) at last summer's NHL Draft. The 6'4", 205 pound defenseman split this season between the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Tri City Americans of the Western Hockey League, after being traded midway through the year.
In 66 combined games, he scored 2 goals and 15 points, adding 55 penalty minutes and a -6 rating. He also picked up 2 assists in 5 playoff games with the Ams, though carrying a concerning -7 rating in their quick first round series.
Gardner was also a second round pick of the Blue Jackets last summer; taken 60th overall after the team traded up for an additional pick to secure him. The 6'1", 176 pound netminder also suited up in the WHL, for the Saskatoon Blades.
He had a very solid year that only seemed to improve as it went on. In 44 games played, he posted a 23-13-5 record on the back of a .911% save percentage and 2.82 goals against average. Unfortunately, his Blades were swept in the first round by a strong Calgary Hitmen team.
Does this change their trajectory?
It's important to understand the rules of the ATO contracts these guys signed. Both of them have already signed entry level deals (ELCs) with the Blue Jackets, so their rights were already secured by the organization prior to yesterday.
However, since each of them just turned 19 in January, they aren't eligible for traditional AHL assignments. Both will need to either make the NHL roster this fall, or (more likely) return to the WHL for more seasoning. They will not be eligible for full-time play anywhere else, until the year of their 20th birthdays. So, after next season.
Since their junior seasons are over, they are eligible to play in the AHL for the remainder of this season. This is where the ATO agreements come into play. These will not count against the years of their ELCs, but will allow them to gain some extra experience as the Monsters try to make a playoff run.
We should also note that since they have signed ELC contracts, neither of them are eligible for the NCAA. With all of that said, I expect both of them to return to the WHL next season, then similarly come up and finish their years in the AHL. Looking further beyond, I don't see their paths to the NHL changing too much.
Each of them will likely get a full year of AHL seasoning in 2026-27, to help them get their feet wet at the professional level. In simpler terms, they are longer-term prospects who still won't likely have an impact in Columbus for several years.
Joining the Monsters this spring will be good for both Elick and Gardner, though. Being around a professional team as its season winds down is never a bad thing for budding prospects. They will have a head start on some of their peers in that regard, whether they get into games or not.