Hayden Hodgson and Filip Hronek make the jump to the American Hockey League

Earlier this afternoon, defending Calder Cup champions, the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League announced (on the teams official website) the signings of Spirit overage forward Hayden Hodgson along with Boston College defenseman Scott Savage to amateur tryout (ATO) free agent contracts, while the Detroit Red Wings' top AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins also announced the addition of Spirit defenseman Filip Hronek (a second round pick, 53 overall, of the Red Wings in the 2016 NHL draft) to its roster for the remainder of the 2016-17 AHL season.

 

Hodgson, a (6-foot-2, 214-pound) 21-year old native of Leamington, ON led all Spirit scorers this season with 66-points (38-goals, 28-assists) and 71 penalty minutes in 67 OHL games this season.

 

The franchise began play as the Lake Erie Monsters in 2007 and have served as the top AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets since the 2015 season.

 

The Monsters play its home games at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, which saw both the Monsters and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA win championships last year.

 

Hodgson will join former Spirit forward Nick Moutrey, who was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round, 105 overall, of the 2013 NHL draft. 

 

The ultimate goal for both Hodgson and Moutrey will be to continue to battle for a roster spot and  join fellow Spirit alums' Brandon Saad and Dalton Prout on the Blue Jackets' NHL roster.

 

Savage, a (6-foot-1, 192-pound) 21-year old native of San Clemente, CA recently wrapped up a four year NCAA career at Boston College where he comes off a 29-point (5-goals, 24-assists) senior season.

 

Hronek, a (6-foot, 170-pound) 19-year old native of Byst, Czech Republic led all Spirit defensemen in scoring (with the second best statistical season for a Spirit defenseman) and was the fourth leading scorer amongst all defensemen in the OHL this year with 61-points (14-goals, 47-assists) through 59 games.

 

Hronek dressed in one pre-season game for the Red Wings this past summer, and if he continues playing at this same level, it's likely the offensively gifted defenenseman will have played his last game in a Spirit sweater, as he will likely stay with the Griffins next year before making the jump to the NHL.

 

The Monsters will host the Chicago Wolves (St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate) for a 7 pm face off at Quicken Loans Arena tonight, while the Griffins get set to host the Rockford (IL.) IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affiliate) for a 7 pm face off at Van Andel Arena Friday night.