The Laval Rocket announced that they have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way AHL deal with 23 year old forward Brent Gates.
The Laval Rocket have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way AHL contract, with forward Brent Gates.
A third round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2015 NHL entry draft, Gates played with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, and the University of Minnesota, before making the jump to the pros. He recorded 42 points in 83 games in the USHL, and 85 points in 148 games in the NCAA.
After signing an AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls last year, Gates played 20 games with the team, recording five points. He also played 25 games with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL, recording 20 points. His rights with the Ducks expired, making him a free agent.
He becomes another of the few AHL signings the Rocket have made so far this offseason, along with Pascal Aquin and Tobie Bisson. Aquin spent this past season with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, and Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In 16 AHL games, he recorded 5 points, along with 26 points in 43 ECHL games. Bisson is another addition from the Blainville Boisbriand Armada, along with Alexandre Alain, Joel Teasdale, and Rocket coach Joel Bouchard.
Gates spent his senior season in Minnesota alongside 2019-20 ECHL all star Tyler Sheehy, who recorded 70 points in 46 games. He struggled to crack a stacked San Diego team and should have a better chance on a Rocket team who relied heavily on depth players last year.
He’s a solid fit for Joel Bouchard’s team first system and should be able to step into a larger role in the ECHL, with his first professional season under his belt. The Rocket currently don’t have an ECHL affiliate, but Gates should find a home with whichever team he is assigned to. He’ll be another depth addition for Laval and has the option to be sent down to the ECHL.