Falcons Sign Cody Wild to ATO Contract

[Terry]

Springfield, MA - The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today that they have signed defenseman Cody Wild to an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO). Wild is expected to join the Falcons on Tuesday as they prepare to host the Manchester Monarchs on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center.

Wild recently finished his third season with Providence College where he collected four goals and 18 assists for 22 points and 28 penalty minutes in 32 games with the Friars. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound native of Limestone, Maine was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round (140th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday night when they host the Manchester Monarchs at the MassMutual Center with a one point lead for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Single game tickets are on sale at the MassMutual Center Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com. MassMutual Center Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday 10am - 4 pm, or four hours prior to an event. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 413-787-6600. All games can be heard live on WHYN AM 560 as well as the B-2 Network.

www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3607010

[herbs]

Anyone know anything about this kid? Decent potential?

[nick39]

I only know what I read at HF.

[Terry]

This is the write-up on Cody by Guy Flaming:

8. (20) Cody Wild, D – Providence College Friars (NCAA)
Grade: 6.5B (6.5C) Projection: 4th-6th defenseman

After a dismal 2006-07 season spent nursing a torn labrum, Wild is back to his freewheeling, offensive minded self which is both great news and potential trouble; at this point, he’s all offense and very little defense.

“I think that Tim Army is doing a good job in Providence with teaching Cody to be more defensively aware,” said Mancini, “[Wild’] probably never had to do that in his career and obviously he’s going to have to do it at the next level so it’s good for him to be learning the lessons on the defensive side of the puck that he’s learning right now.”

The Oilers clearly see the upside in Wild and liken his offensive style to a current Oiler.

“We feel he’s the type of player we need in our system because he’s a player who can go get the puck, lug it, skate it or jump into the play,” started Prendergast. “But, he’s a riverboat gambler; the same way you see [Joni] Pitkanen take off, he’s a lot like that and sometimes he’s ahead of the forwards.”

The Falcons are in the thick of the AHL playoff race and are desperately short of defensemen, especially ones who can move or carry the puck. Wild stated in February that he fully planned on returning to the Friars for his senior year but sources tell Hockey’s Future that Edmonton is double-checking that stance. It is quite conceivable that the 20-year-old will turn pro once the Friars are done this season, finish the year with Springfield and then sign for next season, giving the Oilers complete control over his defensive development.

“He’s a strong skater, he’s 206 lbs now and with some more teaching I think he’s got a chance to be a pretty good player down the road,” said Prendergast who refused to speculate on Wild’s pro aspirations.

Providence is on the bubble at the moment but could be one of the 16 teams involved in the year-end national tournament that begins later this month and wraps up at the Frozen Four April 12.