Senior Kevin Croxton, the Engineers’ leading scorer three of the past four seasons, signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons on Friday.
After RPI’s season ended, Croxton technically became a free agent. Since the season ended after the trade deadline, professional teams could only sign draft picks or players that they plan to bring directly to the NHL. Croxton, who was un-drafted, had to sign an amateur tryout contract in order to play professional hockey before this season ended. After July 1, he would be free to sign with any team. He could also sign an NHL contract or a two-way contract.
“It’s been good to see how this organization works,” Croxton said on Monday. “It’s like a tryout, basically, and after this I’m still going to be a free agent. If other teams come and like what they see, that should open some doors for me.”
Croxton skated with team personnel on Monday and first practiced with the team yesterday. He is expected to make his debut on Friday, when the Falcons host the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Though he hasn’t suited up yet, Croxton is still excited about his chance to play at a professional level. “It’s great; it’s a neat experience to be hanging out with these pro guys,” he said. “The organization is unbelievable and the facilities here are gorgeous. Overall, it’s been a great experience.”
Croxton hasn’t seen any action since March 4, when the Engineers were swept out of the playoffs by the tenth-seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats. He has skated since then, but none of his workouts have been too organized or intense. “It’s been tough to get into it with three weeks off,” he said.
The signing won’t affect Croxton’s ability to graduate, either. With most of his degree requirements squared away before this semester, he was able to schedule a course load for this semester that would enable him to play professionally after RPI’s season and still walk across the stage in May. “I had to get a final semester set up to do something like this,” he said.
Croxton has shown professional promise since arriving at RPI. Other players and coaches have acknowledged his talent, as well. “He is legit,” said Quinnipiac Head Coach Rand Pecknold after the first game of March’s playoff series.
“I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level I could,” Croxton said.
Croxton led RPI in scoring with 15 goals and 15 assists during the 2002-03 season, the first freshman since Joé Juneau to garner that distinction. He had 39 points in 39 games the following season and 35 in 38 last year. This year was his most productive, with 14 goals and 25 assists in only 31 games.
He missed six games—nearly a full month of action—after suffering an ankle injury in early January. He only had one point in the first three games after returning to the lineup.
Croxton finished his RPI career with 57 goals and 86 assists for 143 points in 149 career games. The assists rank tied for 19th all time in school history, and his points are 24th. He also has played more games in an RPI uniform than any other player.
