Tucson Roadrunner Andrew Agozzino makes AHL history

Tucson's Andrew Agozzino reached a “ridiculous” milestone last week, the latest highlight in a 15-plus-year professional career for the undrafted center.

Friday, Nov. 14, at Colorado, Agozzino played in his 800th regular-season AHL game.

"Yeah, it was cool,” Agozzino said. “I actually didn't even really know about it until the morning of, some of the guys told me, but yeah, it's definitely something to be proud of.”

Agozzino ranks second among active AHL players in games played, behind only Chris Terry of the Bridgeport Islanders (812).

"When you think about 800 games, it's ridiculous, actually," said Roadrunners head coach Steve Potvin. "It’s hard to do, especially at the American League level, there's a veteran limit; it’s not like you can have veteran players spread throughout your lineup.  

“So, having an 800 games in your repertoire is pretty impressive.”

Agozzino has played in 22 AHL playoff games, tallying 18 points.

For each game, teams must dress at least 13 “development players” and 12 of those must have played in 260 or fewer professional games, and one must be below 320.

“You're allowed five and so most teams do the best they can to have the veterans around," Potvin said. "They’re important pieces to the puzzle. They're not only players that insulate the young guys and push and keep our standard high. They also are players that are able to contribute at the NHL level at times and be a 13th forward or the seventh or eighth deep, so they're valuable, there’s no doubt.”

Agozzino, 34, is only the 44th player all-time to appear in 800 or more AHL games. This season, the league is celebrating its 90th season.

“The league’s been around a long time, so anytime you're on something like that, it's pretty cool,” Agozzino said.

The Roadrunners (6-6-2-0) host the Colorado Eagles (12-3-0-1) on Saturday and Sunday for a two-game series. The Eagles are the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

Since debuting in 2010 for the Peoria Rivermen (now the Abbotsford Canucks), Agozzino has played for the Lake Erie Monsters (now Cleveland Monster), the San Antonio Rampage (now the Henderson Silver Knights) in two separate stints, the Chicago Wolves, the Colorado Eagles, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the San Diego Gulls in two separate stints, the Belleville Senators and the San Jose Barracuda.

In the NHL, he’s played 53 games for the Avalanche, Penguins, Ducks, Senators, Sharks and Mammoth.

Although AHL players would rather be in the NHL, the milestone isn’t bittersweet for the Kleinburg, Ontario native.

“It's just one of those things, like, it's just the way it is,” Agozzino said. “And it's still a great league and it's hard as you get older to stay in the league, so I still think it’s definitely something to be proud of.”

Among active AHL players, Agozzino is second in goals with 265, fourth in scoring with 626 points, fourth in assists with 361 and second in seasons played with 15. The record is 20 years, held by Willie Marshall starting in 1952.

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This season, Agozzino made an NHL Opening Night roster for the first time in his 15-year professional career. He was the seventh and fifth undrafted player over the last 30 years to make that first regular-season roster for the first time at 34 or older.

“It was awesome, I think it was a great experience,” Agozzino said. “It was great training camp, I was proud that I earned that out of the gate and it was a great start.”

He was the last player cut by NHL teams seven times, so Potvin said his story is inspirational like center Cameron Hebig, who signed his first NHL contract last year.

“It's really cool because I think it really extends the belief to our guys in the room, much like a guy like Hebig that's had to fight and do all that he can to earn his respect and then earn a contract,” Potvin said. “And then for a guy like Aggie to be able to do it at this stage of his career, I think it provides a lot of hope, and it makes your sacrifice and your hard work really feel like it's worth its while. I think that's a good message in the room.

“We want to honor hard work and we want to honor sacrifice,” he added. “So it's great to be able to see him get the opportunity, but also work for it.”

Agozzino has 3 points in 9 games this season.

Last season, he had 43 points in 55 games for the Roadrunners after leading San Diego in scoring the year before. In 2024-25, he tied for first on the team in power-play goals, led the Roadrunners in game-winning goals (5), was fourth in goals, fifth in assists, fourth in points and was an assistant captain for the ninth time in his career.

Also last season, Agozzino became the 50th player in AHL history to tally 600 points.

Although he’s played in 10 AHL cities, he and his family have found a home in the Old Pueblo.

“It's been great, last year, I enjoyed it," Agozzino said. "We spent a chunk of our summer here, we really enjoy our time in Tucson. We love the community, we love the group, the staff, the organization, so it's been a great year and a bit here and looking for a great season this year."

Slapshots

– On Nov. 15, Tucson goalie Jaxson Stauber (1-4-1-1) made 32 saves to get his first shutout as a Roadrunner in their 3-0 win over Colorado.

Stauber last November recorded Utah’s first-ever shutout as an NHL team.

– Last Saturday’s game was Tucson defenseman Robbie Russo’s 650th career AHL game.

– This Saturday will be Barbie Night. The Roadrunners are offering a “Father-Daughter Experience.” They are also selling Barbie x Tucson Roadrunners Belt Bags.

– Sunday afternoon is Hockey Fights Cancer Night, where $5 from every ticket sold will go to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona.

After Sunday’s game, at about 7 p.m., Roadrunners mascot Dusty will be at Jácome Plaza for the lighting of the Christmas tree by the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.