Sugden’s NHL Bid Blocked

Brandon Sugden‘s dream of getting one more shot at making it into the NHL has suddenly come crashing to a halt.

After scoring an invitation to attend training camp with the New York Islanders, all that was left in Sugden’s way was the approval of all 30 NHL teams. Because Sugden retired from hockey in December 2006 only to suit up in the LNAH months later, the league must grant Sudgen an unofficial reinstatement in the aforementioned form.

Unfortunately for “Sugar”, three different teams gave a thumbs down according to Lindsay Kramer of the Syracuse Post-Standard:

Travis Sugden called me on Wednesday morning with some stunning news about his son, Brandon, the former Syracuse Crunch enforcer. Travis said he just found out three NHL teams have objected to Brandon returning to pro hockey this season. Brandon had planned on attending camp with the Islanders. If he did not make New York, he said he was eager to explore playing for the Crunch again.

Travis did not yet know which teams blocked Brandon. But the denial means he can’t play in the NHL or AHL until next year. Brandon needed to clear this odd technicality because after leaving the Crunch two seasons ago, he announced it as a “retirement.’’ Because he “retired’’ then came back to play pro hockey (in the LNAH) within one year, every other NHL organization had to give him a thumbs up to return.

That’s not where the story ends though. While his rejection would only mean another year in the LNAH until he can return to either the NHL or AHL, Sugden’s plan fell in line with the current health of his father, Travis, who has been diagnosed with cancer and has less than a year left to live according to doctors. Part of Sugden’s reasoning in giving the big leagues one more try was to give his father the opportunity to see his son play at the highest level possible.

Sugden’s camp will reportedly be contacting the NHLPA to see if there is anything they can do. Still, at the moment at least, things aren’t looking very promising. Here’s to hoping some sort of agreement can be worked out and Sugden will be permitted to play after all.