4th year center Chris Crane(21) was enjoying his most productive season ever on reassignment to Allen Americans scoring a career high 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points in 41 ECHL games before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the calendar.
Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ deep 7th round pick in the 2010 draft (#200 overall), this was a 2nd tour with the team, as he spent the last 3 games of 2014/2015 grabbing 3 goals and an assist before potting 10 tallies and 10 helpers en route to their first 2015 Kelly Cup Championship.
Allen repeated the title defense in 2016.
The 6’1″ 193 lbs. forward returns for a full campaign, inking his first minor league contract.
He was on a 3-year entry level deal through the end of last season after two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and a 2010 Clark Cup Championship and four years at Ohio State University but left unqualified heading into 2016/2017.
Unfortunately he’s only had moderate success at the higher level of hockey in a limited playing role with affiliates San Jose Barracuda last year and two campaigns for Worcester Sharks to start.
He did have a goal and 5 assists in 13 AHL in 2014/2015 but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to stick.
If the 24-year old can have another successful season, he may move on and find better success overseas.