Jan. 20, 2016 is probably a day Mike Zalewski will never forget.
Zalewski, a 23-year-old undrafted free agent, has signed a two-way NHL contract for the remainder of the season with Vancouver -- and has also been recalled from the club’s AHL affiliate in Utica, where he’s spent the last two seasons.
A former standout at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Zalewski made his big-league debut with Vancouver during the ’13-14 campaign, appearing in two games. He was unable to secure another NHL deal after that, though, and opted to sign an AHL contract with the Comets last July to stick in the organization.
The move seems to have paid off. Zalewski has eight goals and 17 points through 36 games this year, and could be in line for his season debut in the not-too-distant future.
Zalewski’s call up sends a great message to the rest of #Comets too. The best player is getting called, regardless of contract/draft status.
— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) January 20, 2016