As we told you last week, overage Blazers defenceman Montana Onyebuchi is already onto the chapter of his young hockey career.
The 21-year-old Dugald, Manitoba native has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the San Jose Barracuda, the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. General Manager, Joe Will, says the intention is to sign Onyebuchi (and former Portland Winterhawks defenceman Nick Cicek) to an AHL contract for next season.
“It is going to be a good experience, to get some pro games under my belt and try to get to the big leagues,” Onyebuchi said during the Blazers post game show after their final game of the WHL season.
“I worked really hard in the summer, I didn’t even go home for Christmas, I wanted it so bad, so this feels awesome.”
In 20 games with the Blazers in 2021, the six-foot-three defenceman put up 12 points (two goals, 10 assists), along with 38 penalty minutes and a plus-four rating. In 258 games with the Blazers and the Everett Silvertips, Onyebuchi put up 75 points (19 goals, 56 assists), along with 440 penalty minutes and a plus-39 rating.
“Both Nick and Montana are big, physical players who have improved their skating significantly over their time in junior,” Will said, in a statement. “They each took leadership roles with their respective teams this season and we look forward to helping them pursue their NHL goals.”
The Barracuda begin a best-of-three series against the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday night, a team that features former Blazers captain, Jermain Loewen.
However, there won’t be a Blazers reunion as Loewen was suspended four games for a slashing incident in the Silver Knights regular-season finale against Bakersfield.
Post game show, @MontanaOny2 announces he’s signed an @TheAHL deal with the San Jose Barracuda. He leaves tomorrow.
Congrats! pic.twitter.com/1zGaAVVaps— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) May 13, 2021