Anchorage's Scott Gomez wasn't unemployed for long.
The NHL veteran, Alaska's most prolific and decorated player, on Thursday signed a pro tryout agreement (PTO) with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
Gomez, 36, said he had offers from several AHL teams after the NHL's St. Louis Blues, his sixth team in 16 NHL seasons, released him about two weeks ago.
"(AHL) teams were asking if I was willing to do (a PTO),'' Gomez said from Pennsylvania. "I said, 'Yeah, I've got no problem with that.' ''
Gomez, who practiced with the Bears on Thursday, has never played in the AHL. He expects to make his debut on the circuit one step below the NHL on Saturday, when Hershey entertains the Springfield Falcons.
That won't mark Gomez's minor-league debut, though — he was the ECHL's Most Valuable Player when he skated for the Alaska Aces during the NHL lockout in 2004-05 and played for them again during another NHL lockout in 2012-13. The ECHL is two levels below the NHL.
Gomez said he hopes to use the AHL to stay sharp and hopefully earn another NHL job. Under a PTO, he is essentially a free agent to any NHL team that wants him.
"I still want to play, I still know I can play,'' Gomez said. "You never know what can happen. The main thing is, I have to get back on the ice.
"I still love the game.''
The two-time Stanley Cup winner and former NHL Rookie of the Year has played more NHL regular-season games (1,066) and more NHL playoff games (149) than any Alaskan. He also leads Alaskans in NHL regular-season points (755) and playoff points (101).
Gomez has earned more than $60 million in his career.
Gomez went to training camp in the fall on a tryout agreement with the Blues. When St. Louis suffered several injuries early in the season, the Blues signed him to a one-year deal worth $575,000.
He furnished the Blues 1-7—8 totals in his first 11 games. But his ice time diminished — he played fewer than 10 minutes in five of his last 10 appearances, and didn't score any points — before he was released.
Two seasons ago, Gomez went to training camp on a tryout with the New Jersey Devils, the NHL team that made him a first-round draft pick and with whom he won two Cups. The Devils eventually signed him, so he's accustomed to proving himself on tryouts.
"Here we go again,'' Gomez said.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockeyblog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr