Can a player sign with an AHL team at 17yrs old?

Question

I heard Jon Tavares (17yrs) might sign with the Maples Leafs AHL affiliate. He is eligible for the draft only in 2009.

Answer 1

Yes

He just can't play in the NHL prior to September 15, 2009.

Radek Bonk signed with the IHL Las Vegas Thunder as a 16 yr old (didn;t start playing until he was 17) and was drafted at 18 from the IHL. Patrik Stefan chose the same route a couple years after that when he signed with the Long Beach Ice Dogs as a 17 yr old.

The primary difference here is that neither Las Vegas or Long Beach were affiliates of NHL teams (although many teams in the IHL were primary affiliates) while the Toronto Marlies are the primary affiliate of (and wholly owned by) the Maple Leafs.

Answer 2

He would not be allowed to play for them though. Going to toil in Europe would be another option since his people think that he has outgrown the CHL and it will hinder his development which I disagree with based on his play in the Summit Series. I know his lawyers were working on something to try to force the NHL to let him be draft eligible for 2008-he only misses that draft by 5 days (where his BDay falls-Sept 20 I think) and it also should be known that even if he were granted exemption to be drafted next year, he is not the consensus to go #1 overall.

Answer 3

Isn't he related to John Tavares from the Bandits?

Answer 4

LOL - was just reading about this in the Star. Are the Leafs trying to pull a fast one? Not sure but it seems like it.

Here's the link to what I was reading if you're interested.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NHL/article/270412

Answer 5

Yes it is possible because he is a great player

Answer 6

Yes, and LITY has the details.

Answer 7

Yes ... i do not see any reason why they cannot .