Will Sam Anas be the next undersized forward to make a successful transition from college success to the NHL?
Anas took another step in that direction when he reportedly inked a two-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, per Elliotte Friedman.
Update: Minnesota has confirmed the signing. His two-year contract will start in 2016-17.
The 22-year-old forward stands at roughly 5-foot-8 and has recorded just over a point-per-game in each of his three campaigns with Quinnipiac University. In 2015-16 he had 24 goals and 50 points in 43 contests.
“His best trait is his composure with the puck — there’s no panic in his game. He’s so poised with the puck on his stick. He has that ability to wait and wait,” Quinnipiac Coach Rand Pecknold told the Washington Post back in January. “There are great players stuck in the minors because they don’t have poise in games. If anything, Sam gets better when the puck drops in a game.”
Like other undersized forwards, he’ll be under extra scrutiny, but that’s nothing new to him and you don’t have to look hard to find examples of forwards that have taken a similar path. Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau is an obvious example and perhaps someday Anas will be an easy go to as well.