ATO/PTO Season: Influx Of Young Talent Joining The AHL
AHL
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Written by: Tony Androckitis
As the college hockey season in the United States ends, combined with the regular season ending in junior hockey in Canada (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) as well as for many hockey teams overseas - younger players are eligible to be signed/assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) under a variety of different terms.
For hockey players in the NCAA who want to maintain future NCAA eligibility for a potential return in the 2026-27 season, they must sign amateur tryout agreements (ATO).
For players who are turning pro, or have recently signed their NHL entry-level contracts and have the first year of that contract beginning in 2026-27, they can sign either an ATO, a professional tryout contract (PTO) or a standard AHL contract to join an AHL team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season and 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
