Courtesy @GoldenKnights
This screen grab shows Brendan Brisson, the Golden Knights’ first-round pick, 29th overall, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.
Published Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 11:56 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 1:42 p.m.
Brendan Brisson felt it was time, much like his college teammates before him.
The Golden Knights' 2020 first-round pick from the University of Michigan signed a tryout agreement with AHL Henderson on Tuesday, and the forward will make his debut with the Silver Knights on Wednesday against the Stockton Heat.
"For me, just being at Michigan for two years was important for my development," said Brisson, a sophomore for the Wolverines. "I grew a lot as a player and person. It was time to turn pro."
Brisson, selected 29th overall by Vegas, scored a team-high 21 goals with a stacked Wolverines team that reached the Frozen Four.
Michigan lost to eventual national champion Denver 3-2 in overtime last Thursday.
Brisson is the latest Michigan player in the past week make his pro intentions clear. Defenseman Owen Power, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft by the Buffalo Sabres, signed his entry-level deal on Friday. Brisson's linemate Matty Beniers, who went one pick later to the Seattle Kraken, signed his rookie deal Sunday.
Kent Johnson, the No. 5 pick in the same draft, also signed his ELC with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Brisson said there was talk among he and his teammates of what to do following this season, but they all embraced the thought that 2021-22 would be their last season together.
"We all talked about it, our views and what we were leaning towards. I think we all had the same decision, that we wanted to turn pro," Brisson said. "I feel like that’s why we had so much success because at the end of the season, we were going to make some tough decisions."
Going pro caps off what Brisson called a "busy" year. He was a member of Team USA's Olympic team in Beijing this winter, a roster comprised of mostly junior and college players, that lost to Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Brisson scored two goals in four games.
"That whole travel schedule to China and being there for two-and-a-half weeks took a lot out of you," he said. "It was a great experience being in Beijing, representing Team USA."
Getting Brisson to agree to the tryout deal, rather than the three-year entry-level deal, is likely for salary cap purposes. It would be expected that Brisson will sign following the Golden Knights' season.
The Silver Knights have seven regular-season games remaining before starting in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Henderson has seven games remaining and has a four-point lead on the San Diego Gulls for the No. 6 seed in the Pacific Division.
The AHL's playoff format for this season has 23 teams making the tournament with the top seven from the Pacific with seeds 2-7 playing in best-of-3 series' in the first round. If the season were to end today, Henderson would play the Colorado Eagles.
Brisson practiced Tuesday morning and said the reception has been welcoming. He added he's not being asked to change much to his game during the Silver Knights' home stretch.
"It’s probably going to be a completely different game," he said. "Just practicing out there, everyone’s bigger, faster, stronger, got harder shots. It’s going to be a good test for me and I can’t wait to see how I feel out there.”
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
