Barracuda Sign ECHL Scoring Leader Brendan Hoffman to PTO
The San Jose Barracuda are adding some serious firepower to their forward group, signing Brendan Hoffman to a professional tryout (PTO). The 24-year-old has been lighting up the ECHL this season with the Idaho Steelheads, and now he’s getting a shot to prove he can do it at the AHL level.
Let’s break down why this move matters.
Hoffman isn’t just having a good year-he’s having the year. Through 44 games with Idaho, he’s racked up 51 points, including a league-leading 32 goals.
That’s not a typo. He’s been a consistent scoring threat all season long, and he’s doing it in multiple ways.
He’s tied for second in shots with 158, tied for third in power-play goals with seven, and second in game-winners with eight. That last stat jumps off the page-this is a guy who shows up when it counts.
And it’s not just about the numbers. Hoffman’s play earned him a spot in the 2026 ECHL All-Star Game, a nod to just how impactful he’s been.
He’s already set personal bests in both goals and points this season, and we’re only in February. The Barracuda are betting that production can translate to the AHL.
At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Hoffman brings size to the table, too. He’s not just a scorer-he plays with an edge, evidenced by his 39 penalty minutes this season. That physical presence, combined with his scoring touch, makes him an intriguing addition for San Jose.
Looking at his broader career, Hoffman has logged 237 ECHL games across stints with Reading, Atlanta, and Idaho, tallying 157 points and a plus-16 rating. He’s also racked up over 200 penalty minutes in that span, showing he’s not afraid to get into the dirty areas of the ice.
Before turning pro, Hoffman spent three seasons in the OHL with the Erie Otters, where he developed his game and built the foundation for the player he is today. He went undrafted, but he’s showing the kind of upward trajectory that makes PTOs like this so valuable-low risk, high potential reward.
For the Barracuda, this is a smart move. They’re bringing in a red-hot scorer who’s hungry for the next step.
For Hoffman, it’s a well-earned opportunity to prove he belongs at the next level. If he can bring even a portion of his ECHL scoring punch to the AHL, San Jose might have found themselves a diamond in the rough.