Monsters Sign Tate Singleton to One-Year Contract After PTO Stint

Tate Singleton turned a short-term audition into job security when the Cleveland Monsters signed the 27-year-old forward to a one-year AHL contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The move, announced by the club on Jan. 17, rewarded a player who produced in both the AHL and ECHL while carving out a role through persistence and production.

Singleton arrived in Cleveland on professional tryouts and in 24 appearances for the Monsters before the contract recorded 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points. He also posted 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points in 10 ECHL games with Greenville earlier this season, numbers that underscore a clear scoring uptick at the lower level and a serviceable secondary scoring rate in the AHL. At 5'9" and 176 pounds, Singleton brings speed and offensive instinct that have translated across multiple pro stops; his resume includes AHL time with the Toronto Marlies and Ontario Reign and a collegiate foundation at Ohio State. The club release also lists his full career AHL and ECHL production and his Ohio State NCAA numbers.

From a performance standpoint, Cleveland is banking on a player who can slot into middle-six minutes and chip in offensively. Singleton’s 10 points in 10 ECHL games show an ability to generate offense when given top-line opportunities, while his 8 points in 24 AHL games indicate he can contribute against higher-level competition in a more limited role. For a Monsters club juggling injuries, call-ups, and the churn that comes with NHL affiliations, a player who can move between leagues and produce is valuable.

The contract has broader business implications for the AHL talent pipeline. Professional tryouts remain an efficient low-cost evaluation tool for clubs; converting a PTO into a one-year deal minimizes long-term risk while giving the player stability and the team roster continuity. For Singleton, the contract likely means steady pay and guaranteed roster time through the end of the season, a meaningful career milestone in a league where short-term deals and movement are common.

Culturally, Singleton’s Ohio State background resonates in Cleveland’s market, which prizes local college ties and players who have regional roots. His signing also highlights the journeyman arc typical in minor-league hockey, where persistence and adaptability often outweigh draft pedigree.

For Monsters fans, the immediate takeaway is roster reinforcement and a new player to monitor. Singleton will have the remainder of the season to build chemistry, earn consistent minutes, and push for an expanded role down the stretch. If his ECHL scoring rate carries over, Cleveland could have added a timely offensive spark at a crucial phase of the schedule.