Jesse Root will stay local, for now. The Yale captain signed an amateur tryout contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Monday. The deal wasn't completed in time for him to practice today, but, according to Yale coach Keith Allain, Root will make his debut on Wednesday night in Hartford when the Sound Tigers play at the XL Center.

Root became quite a success story at Yale. Recruited for his skill as a defensive forward while at Taft, his production in New Haven increased from eight points as a freshman to 24 as a sophomore. His 23 points as a junior included the historic OT winner against Minnesota, the fastest in NCAA history, and he was a force in the ECAC this winter with a team-best 37 points.

Meanwhile, Kenny Agostino, who signed with the Calgary Flames, is en route to Calgary. Allain said the Flames' plan is for Agostino to finish the season in the NHL, with his debut, perhaps, coming Wednesday night against Buffalo. He had briefly mulled leaving Yale after last season, but sticking around to earn his degree paid off in more ways than one. According to the Flames, his two-year contract will pay him $900,000 annually

"If you look at the numbers, four-year college players have enjoyed much bigger success in the NHL than those who left early," Allain said. "Particularly for those who aren't first-round picks. This is a great opportunity for him, and worked out well."

Defenseman Gus Young, a draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, is negotiating with the club at the moment.