For the second time in as many days, the Utica Comets have gone PTO shopping. After signing defenseman Joe Faust to a PTO yesterday, The Comets inked forward Brian Ward to a PTO today. When a player is signed to a PTO, (Professional Try-Out) they have up to 25 games to make an impression on a team and earn a regular contract. Most recently, Brendan Woods did just that with Utica. Woods signed a PTO at the beginning of the season and has since earned an AHL deal with Utica. Cam Darcy is also with Utica on a PTO. Darcy has nine games remaining on his PTO with Utica.

Ward is a 6’1″, 202lbs undrafted forward. The 25-year-old has spent the last two seasons bouncing between the AHL Charlotte Checkers and Albany Devils, and the ECHL Adirondack Thunder. In 17 games for the Thunder this season, Ward has picked up five goals and six helpers for 11 points to go along with 23 penalty minutes. In 2016/17 he put up 49 points in 49 games with the Thunder.

With Anton Rodin and the Canucks cutting ties yesterday, along with the injuries mounting throughout the lineup, adding another forward comes as no surprise. Rodin has since signed a deal with Davos.

With 11 points in nine games in Kalamazoo, I thought that maybe Danny Moynihan might get a look with Utica ahead of another PTO forward. Maybe next time.

The Comets are back in action tonight with the league-leading Toronto Marlies in town for a 4:00 pm Pacific start. Canucks Army will have your post-game report following today’s game.