Cole Moberg will soon be the new pig on a farm one step below the NHL.
Today (Jan. 20), the Prince George Cougars’ defenceman signed a professional try-out (PTO) contract with the Rockford IceHogs for the 2020-21 American Hockey League (AHL) season, an affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Only a 90-minute drive northwest of the windy city, Moberg is one of three prospects to sign with the minor club having been previously drafted by its big brother franchise.
The 20-year-old WHL veteran was taken 194th overall in the seventh round of 2019's draft class.
“This is a great opportunity for Cole to continue his development at the professional level,” said Cougars’ General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb in a team statement.
“His signing is a reflection of the hard-work and commitment he has put into getting himself ready for the next step.”
In the 2019-20 campaign, Moberg combined for 37 points in 58 games, the highest among blue-liners, including 24 assists and 13 goals.
He even scored the Cougars’ final marker of that year on March 7, 2020, in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Vancouver Giants before the remainder of the season was cancelled by COVID-19.
The North Vancouver product has played in 187 career games with Prince George, recording 60 assists and 89 points in that four-year span.
The terms of Moberg’s PTO have not been disclosed at this time.
On Jan. 4, the Rockford IceHogs agreed to be one of 28 teams to compete in the AHL's shortened 2020-21 season, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 5.
They'll compete in the Central Division against the Chicago Wolves (Carolina/Nashville), Cleveland Monsters (Columbus), Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit), Iowa Wild (Minnesota) and Texas Stars (Dallas).
