Adios D'Amigo: Leafs To Sign Prospect Jerry D'Amigo, Leaves RPI

Jerry D’Amigo’s days as a collegiate star at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) appear to be over. According to several reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to ink the forward to a three-year, entry-level contract by as early as this Wednesday.

By signing the deal with the Leafs, D’Amigo will lose his collegiate eligibility and will either become a member of the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs' AHL affiliate, or a member of the Kitchener Rangers, whom hold his rights in the OHL of the Canadian Hockey League.

The Rangers drafted D’Amigo in the 2007 OHL draft, but he chose to join RPI in Troy, N.Y., instead.

In his first year, D’Amigo was among the top scorers with RPI and was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference rookie of the year.

The 6-foot, 210-pound winger scored 10 goals and added 24 assists in 35 games with the Engineers in his freshman season.

That was all well and good, but it was his breakout performance at the World Juniors this past winter in Saskatchewan that really elevated his stock.

He finished the tournament tied with first-overall selection Taylor Hall, scoring six goals and adding six assists for 12 points.

D’Amigo, 19, was taken in the sixth round (158th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft by the Leafs and was one of the best players during their orientation camp in Toronto this past July.

Will D’Amigo make the Leafs squad? That is doubtful, but you will be hearing his name very soon with regard to the Leafs.