The Chicago Wolves announced Sunday they have signed defensemen Drew Daniels, Jared Nightingale and Joel Chouinard to Professional Tryout Contracts (PTO). In addition, Wolves defenseman Andre Benoit has been reassigned to St. Louis (NHL) and defenseman Konrad Abeltshauser’s contract has been terminated.
Daniels, 26, has spent most of the 2015-16 season with the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL), where he has notched 4 goals, 15 assists and a +13 plus/minus rating in 25 games. The Suffern, N.Y., native also made his American Hockey League debut this season as he appeared in three games for the Utica Comets.
Nightingale, 33, has produced 7 assists and a +6 plus/minus rating in 35 games for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL). This marks the Jackson, Mich., native’s second tour with the Wolves as he appeared in five games for the 2007-08 squad that captured the Calder Cup.
Chouinard, 25, owns 5 goals and 15 assists in 30 games for Toledo. The Sherbrooke, Quebec, native started his professional career in 2010-11 with the Lake Erie Monsters and has 15 goals and 31 assists in 167 AHL games.
Benoit leads the Wolves in assists (21) and ranks second in points (25) as he played in the team’s first 37 games. The 32-year-old has played in 179 NHL games and has produced 11 goals and 37 assists.
Abeltshauser posted 5 assists and a +2 plus/minus rating in 20 games for the Wolves this season. San Jose’s sixth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft posted 9 goals and 36 assists in 127 AHL appearances.
The Wolves open a five-game road trip with a 3 p.m. game Sunday at Grand Rapids. Chicago returns to Allstate Arena on Saturday, Jan. 30, to face the Rockford IceHogs in an Illinois Lottery Cup game. To get the best deals on tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
