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While everyone was likely anticipating a different roster move on Tuesday morning, the Senators announced the signing of Brad Mills to a one-year two-way contract.
News Release: The #Sens have signed forward Brad Mills to a one-year, two-way contract: http://t.co/X27J9OUxUE
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 27, 2015
The 31-year-old undrafted Mills started off his professional career later than most, as he spent four years at Yale University where he picked up 26 goals and 35 assists through 96 games. After his last year and college, he was signed to the New Jersey Devils organization for the tail end of the 2006-07 season. He has spent most of his playing career in the AHL, but has seen action in 27 games with New Jersey and 4 games with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Binghamton had signed Mills to a professional tryout contract (PTO) back at the start of this season, but didn't make his Binghamton debut until December 12th. He had previously been suspended for the first 20 games of the season for testing positive for performance enhancing substances. In his first game back in the lineup following the suspension, Mills potted his first goal of the season.
Despite having an immediate impact with the B-Sens, Mills has struggled to stay healthy. He missed three games over Christmas with an illness and is now back on the shelf with an injury suffered in a game against the Worcester Sharks back on January 9th.
Through nine games this season, Mills has recorded one goal and three assists. Recently he has been playing in a third line role in Binghamton, so I don't anticipate the signing to have an impact at the NHL level.
Mills will have to clear waivers before joining the team officially.