McAllister signed a three-year deal with the Panthers on Monday
On Monday the Florida Panthers announced a three-year, entry-level contract with NCAA standout Ryan McAllister.
The contract is set to kick in at the start of the 2023-24 season.
Apparently, McAllister didn't want to wait that long to begin his pro hockey career.
The 21-year-old signed a PTO, or professional tryout, with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.
PTO's are limited to a maximum of 25 games.
Charlotte has six games remaining in the regular season, all on the road, beginning Wednesday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
McAllister just finished a stellar freshman year for the University of Western Michigan, racking up 49 points (13-36-49) in 39 NCAA games.
He finished fourth among all college skaters in assists and sixth in points.
Charlotte is closing in on a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, currently sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division. The top six in the division will make the playoffs, and the Checkers hold a six point edge over seventh place Bridgeport.
McAllister is expected to join Charlotte sometime this week.