Taylor Cammarata signs ATO with Bridgeport, Islanders’ AHL affiliate

2013 New York Islanders draft pick Taylor Cammarata will remain in the organization, at least for the near term. The forward signed an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ team-owned AHL affiliate.

A third-round pick (76th overall), he was selected for his offensive talent and gaudy scoring numbers in the USHL, where he put up 93 points at age 17 in 2012-13 to earn league Player of the Year honors. His 5’7 frame and average speed are what dropped him to the mid-rounds despite great hands and those eye-popping numbers.

Now after four years at University of Minnesota, his profile has changed: While no one expected him to dominate in the NCAA the way he did in the U.S. junior league, his usage and production — 20 points in 34 games as a senior this season -- showed that even power play specialist or your Rob Schrempian equivalent wasn’t in his pro future.

But an ATO is a good way to introduce him to the pros, get an update on his game, and allow him to seek pro opportunities elsewhere this summer if the relationship with the team tha drafted him comes to an end.

With the Sound Tigers he’ll have some familiar company: Goalie Eamon MacAdam was a teammate with USHL Waterloo, while fellow defenseman Jake Bischoff — signed this week to a two-way NHL/AHL entry level contract — was his teammate with the NCAA Golden Gophers.