Alaska Oilers 16U defenseman Allen signs NAHL tender
November 14, 2018
The Alaska Oilers of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) are pleased to announce that 16U defenseman Clay Allen has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the New Jersey Titans of the NAHL’s East Division.
Allen, 16, has posted 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 13 NAPHL games so far this year. The 6’2/160 lbs. native of Anchorage, Alaska and is looking forward to the opportunity to play in the NAHL for the Titans in 2019-20.
When asked about the long distance from home he laughed it off. “Everything is a long plane trip from Alaska, so New Jersey is just a plane trip away, I think it will be great to live in a different part of the country and experience their culture, I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Allen.
The Alaska Oilers are sitting atop the NAPHL 16U High Performance Division standings with a 10-2-1 record and Allen has helped his team get there. He is currently third in points among defensemen and his size and skill have helped the Oilers limit opposing teams to just 14 goals against in nine games, making the Oilers the leaders in that category, a testament to an elite level defensive squad.
“Tendering with New Jersey was an easy decision given their excellent coaching staff, winning history and all the opportunities available in New Jersey. I’m looking forward to contributing, competing and making the team better. My goals don’t change, every time I step on the ice I want to compete and make my team better, play defense in our zone and create offense in the opposing team zone. And then ultimately I want our Alaska Oilers to compete in the National Tournament this year and I want to help the Titans compete and win the Robertson Cup next year and hopefully maybe even this year,” said Allen.
Allen is the first player from the Alaska Oilers to sign an NAHL tender this season.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 4, 2019.
