CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Former Penn State defenseman Clayton Phillips signed an AHL amateur tryout contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins announced on Monday.
Phillips, 22, was the Penguins' third-round pick in 2017. He's a left-handed shot, 6 feet and 195 pounds.
After playing five collegiate seasons (earning an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19) split between Minnesota State and Penn State, Phillips' NCAA career ended on March 13 with Penn State's loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament.
Phillips was an alternate captain in his final season at Penn State, recording a career-high five goals and career-high 12 points in 32 games.
Typically when a college prospect's seasons end and the Penguins intend on signing the player to an NHL contract, they do so while also signing the player to an AHL tryout that allows them to play the remainder of the AHL season without eating into their entry-level deal. Phillips only signing the amateur tryout could perhaps mean that the Penguins don't intend on signing him to an NHL contract, or are still undecided. The amateur tryout could also serve as a precursor to Phillips signing an AHL-level contract with Wilkes-Barre for next year.
