Music: {allcanada} Oilers' Hall signs contract with AHL's Barons

Thursday, November 1, 2012

{allcanada} Oilers' Hall signs contract with AHL's Barons

Taylor Hall will soon re-join many of his Edmonton Oilers teammates in the AHL.

Oklahoma City Barons general manager Bill Scott announced Thursday that the team has signed the 20-year-old forward to an AHL contract.

"Taylor Hall is a very competitive player who has had success in the NHL for two seasons," Scott said in a statement. "With Taylor coming off his shoulder injury from last season, it is important for him to continue to play hockey as he is still in his prime development years. We know that he will be a great fit here in (Oklahoma City) and we look forward to adding him to our lineup."

The former first-overall pick will join fellow Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Magnus Paajarvi, Alex Plante, Colten Teubert and Jordan Eberle on the Barons roster.

Hall had been rehabilitating his surgically-repaired left shoulder for the last six months before being cleared to play on Oct. 30.

He scored 53 points in 61 games for the Oilers last season before being shut down for the season on March 27. Hall and the Oilers agreed to a seven-year, $42-million contract in August.

The former Windsor Spitfire was an injured player when the collective bargaining agreement ended on Sept. 15 and therefore couldn't sign with the team's AHL affiliate until given the green light by doctors. Hall was also being paid his full NHL salary while on the injured reserve.

The Calgary native will be eligible to play for the Barons Friday against the Houston Aeros.