Graduate D'Amigo signs with Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with forward Jerry D’Amigo, who played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2007-09.

“We’ve been very pleased with Jerry’s progression over the past 12 months,” said Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Maple Leafs. “(RPI head coach) Seth Appert and the rest of the (Engineers’) coaching staff have done a really nice job of preparing Jerry for the next stage in his development. We look forward to having him at training camp.”

D’Amigo, 19, appeared in 35 games with RPI (ECAC) last season, recording 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) and 41 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound winger ranked fifth nationally in points per game by a rookie (0.97), led RPI in game-winning goals (three), and finished second in shorthanded goals (one). For his efforts, D’Amigo was selected to the ECAC All-Rookie Team and was named ECAC Rookie of the Year.

The native of Binghamton, N.Y., represented the United States at the 2010 World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan. D’Amigo finished tied for third in tournament scoring with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in seven games to help lead Team USA to a gold medal.

D’Amigo was selected by Toronto in the sixth round (158th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft.

In the NAHL, D’Amigo tallied 13 goals for 31 points in 55 regular-season games and a goal and an assist in three postseason games.