LA Kings: Martin Chromiak signs ATO with Ontario Reign
By Ryan Sikes
Per the AHL transactions page, LA Kings 2020 fifth-round pick Martin Chromiak has signed an Amateur Tryout contract with the Reign.
Credit our own Russell Morgan for finding this bit of news on the AHL’s transaction page on Monday, but it appears that LA Kings 2020 draft pick Martin Chromiak will be making his way to the North American rink and finish out the season with the Ontario Reign.
NEW: Martin Chromiak is indeed coming over to the @ontarioreign on an ATO (Amateur tryout).
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) April 20, 2021
An ATO gives the Kings a chance to play the young forward in @TheAHL without losing his amateur status.
He’ll have to quarantine before joining the #Reign.#GoKingsGo
Like many players in his situation, Chromiak was without a place to play, with the OHL’s season still on hold. The LA Kings fifth-round pick was on loan to HK Dukla Trencin of the Slovak Extraliga. The 18-year-old forward accumulated seven goals and 12 assists in 32 games while waiting for Kingston of the OHL to begin their season.
However, with Quinton Byfield expected to join the Kings in the next week or so, the Reign will be short a forward. Of course, Chromiak will be required to quarantine prior to practicing and playing in live-game action.
Similar to New Jersey’s Alexander Holtz, who signed his three-year entry-level contract on Monday, he also signed an ATO to play for Binghamton of the AHL. Doing so does not start the clock on his ELC, but it does allow Holtz and Chromiak to get some time at the professional level.
Chromiak will not turn 19 until August. Unless the CHL amends their age restrictions for the AHL’s age-20 season requirement, Chromiak could be looking at another two seasons in the OHL before joining the Reign on a more permanent basis.