One day he signed a tryout contract. The next, he was playing professional hockey.
So it goes for Brant Harris, the Estevan forward who is getting a chance to showcase his skills in the American Hockey League after agreeing to a tryout with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Monday.
The tryout is for 25 games, and with the Tigers having less than 10 games left in their regular season and virtually out of playoff contention, it essentially gives Harris the rest of the season to make an impression.
Still, he said, "at any point they can send you back or sign you or whatever."
Harris didn't have much time to get used to his new team, as he took part in his first practice on Monday and played his first AHL game on Tuesday, a home game against the Springfield Falcons.
"There's a spot for me for a game or two to see how I do. They obviously can't guarantee me a spot after that, but they'll give me an opportunity and that's all I can ask for," Harris said.
"I'm not really expecting too much. I don't want to get in there and think I've got to do something different than what I've done my whole career. I'll get that taste and push the envelope and do what I do well and we'll see where it goes from there."
When the Tigers asked Harris what kind of role he could play for the club, he said his game involves "putting pucks to the net, going to the net, that kind of simple game, playing hard and being hard to play against is a big one."
Harris didn't have to go far to join his new club, as the Tigers are located in Bridgeport, Conn., and Harris recently wrapped up a four-year career with the UConn Huskies, where he served as the team's captain.
While preparing for his AHL debut, Harris said he would try to treat it just like any other game.
"I'm hoping it won't be too different. I'm trying not to think about it too much or throw myself off. I don't think it'll be too much different from what I've seen.
"You're playing against better players, but nothing changes in your game. I'm not looking to psych myself out but I imagine once I get out there I'll just play my game."
