Sharks signing Akim Aliu to AHL tryout deal for remainder of season
The San Jose Sharks are signing forward Akim Aliu to an AHL tryout deal for the remainder of the season, general manager Mike Grier confirmed Wednesday, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
"We wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he can do," Grier said.
The Sharks expect him to join their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, within the next day or two, per The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.
Aliu hasn't played professional hockey since 2019-2020 in the Czech Extraliga. He suited up for just six games for HC Litvinov, totaling three points.
The 34-year-old's last taste of AHL action came in 2016-17 when he logged three goals and five points in 13 games for the Cleveland Monsters.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Aliu in the second round of the 2007 draft, but he never played in an NHL game for the organization. He appeared in seven games with the Calgary Flames split between the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, chipping in with two goals and one helper.
Aliu is well-known for his activism off the ice. In June 2020, he spearheaded the formation of the Hockey Diversity Alliance alongside six other players with the aim of fighting racism within the sport.
In total, the 34-year-old has amassed 76 points (46 goals, 30 assists) and 423 penalty minutes in 245 career AHL games. He's also appeared in eight Calder Cup playoff games.