Still reeling from injuries at forward, the Checkers signed Jason Bast to a professional tryout contract.
Bast has been enjoying a breakout rookie campaign with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, racking up 44 points (25g, 19a) in 43 games. The 25 year old has twice been named the ECHL's Rookie of the Month this season, becoming just the sixth player to earn the award multiple times since 1997-98.
The undrafted center is tied for second in the ECHL in goals, is tied for ninth in scoring and holds a share of the scoring lead among ECHL rookies. His 25 goals thus far are already more than the Steelheads' leading scorer had all of last season.
A Saskatchewan native, Bast played five seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw, where he totaled 254 points (114g, 140) in 331 games, before going to St. Francis Xavier University and racking up 110 points (37g, 73a) in 111 games over four seasons. He then joined the Steelheads following the conclusion of his college career, netting 16 points (6g, 10a) in 13 games at the end of the 2013-14 season. Bast made his AHL debut earlier this season, appearing in two games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, before returning to Idaho.
The move to sign Bast was brought on by injuries to Brendan Woods and Brock McGinn in recent games. Woods left the Jan. 23 game against the Barons after taking a hit from Travis Ewanyk that cost Ewanyk a suspension. McGinn exited the team's tilt with the Rampage on Jan. 30 after getting hit from behind into the boards. Woods has yet to rejoin the team for practice, but McGinn began skating with a yellow no-contact jersey earlier in the week and was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Despite the progress, his availability for tomorrow's game is still up in the air, seemingly prompting the acquisition of Bast.
"We'll see how he responds today and hopefully he's an option for (Friday)," said head coach Jeff Daniels of McGinn.
The Checkers kick off back-to-back contests for Pink In The Rink weekend Friday night as they host the Chicago Wolves.
