Tri-City Americans sending 5 to NHL camps

The Tri-City Americans have five players headed to NHL camps next week who will miss the Red Lion Hotels preseason tournament at Toyota Center.

Defenseman Brandon Carlo, a second-round draft pick (37th overall) of Boston, will attend the Bruins camp, which begins Sept. 10. Defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, a fourth-round pick (112th overall) of the New York Islanders, will attend camp starting Sept. 9.

Forward Ty Comrie was invited to the Los Angeles Kings camp that starts Sept. 11. Forwards Maxwell James and Austyn Playfair are headed to the Arizona Coyotes camp, which opens Sept. 11.

“This is always a great experience for our players,” Americans general manager Bob Tory said. “We are proud of their accomplishments and know they will represent our organization well.”

▪ Taylor Vickerman, 19, earned top marks for the Americans’ offseason fitness award. The honor is given to the player who comes into camp as the most overall fit player.

Justin Hamonic won the award the past three years.

▪ Kennewick native Sean Mallonee signed a standard Western Hockey League player agreement with the Everett Silvertips.

Mallonee, 17, suited up last season with the Everett Junior Silvertips Under-16 program, ranking second in scoring with 17 points (5g-12a) in 19 games while leading the club with 12 assists. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward was selected to play in last year’s U-16 All-Star Game in the North American Prospects Hockey League.

“Sean’s passion for the game and fearless approach for his size are great compliments to our roster,” Everett GM Garry Davidson said in a news release. “He has the desire to play in the WHL and is a testimony to hard work and the opportunities offered in our Under-16 program.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Tri-City Americans sending 5 to NHL camps."