Matt Garbowsky of RIT hockey at crossroads

Sunday's heart-breaking 4-0 loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the NCAA Midwest Regional championship game brought to an end Matt Garbowsky's collegiate career at RIT.

Today could be the beginning of his pro career.

The 24-year-old centerman, a Hobey Baker Award Top-10 finalist, has received what likely are several offers from NHL teams to sign an American Hockey League contract.

It's now up to him to him to decide what situation makes the most sense for his career.

He would sign an amateur tryout and play the remainder of the AHL season (plus the post-season, if he goes to a playoff-bound team) and then the standard AHL deal would kick in next season.

Several teams have scouted RIT games and paid particularly close attention to Garbowsky. At least six have done a little tire-kicking; the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators.

That doesn't mean any of those teams are the ones that have offered an AHL contract, but it's hard to believe the Sabres wouldn't have some interest. They've given NHL contracts to forwards with far less ability in recent years, though that was under the watch of former general manager Darcy Regier.

While an NHL deal is obviously the goal, teams are a bit reluctant to give an entry level contract to a 24-year-old coming out of Atlantic Hockey. Most teams would prefer that he prove himself against professionals.

That worked for Cory Conacher coming out of Canisius in 2011. He was the AHL rookie of the year in 2011-12 and was in the NHL the next season.

The Minnesota Wild did sign a pair of 24-year-old collegiate free agents on Monday: Minnesota State (WCHA) defenseman Zach Palmquist and Vermont (Hockey East) goalie Brody Hoffman.

At 24, the deals can only be for one year under the collective bargaining agreement.

Garbowsky set an RIT single-season record by producing 54 points (26 goals, 28 assists). He helped set up the winning goal in Saturday's 2-1 regional victory over Minnesota State.

He actually went head-to-head against Palmquist on the play. As linemate Brad McGowan took his pass high in the zone, Garbowsky drove down the slot to the net. Palmquist attempted to force him to detour wide but Garbowsky banged into the Mavericks D-man in the deep slot.

The collision, ruled to be inadvertent contact between two players battling for position, caused Palmquist to fall into his goalie at the same time Josh Mitchell released a shot from the right circle. The puck hit the net to break a 1-1 tie with just over five minutes remaining.

One reason the Sabres may not make the most sense: the Rochester Americans won't be in the playoffs and have just nine games remaining.

If you're trying to prove yourself worthy of an NHL deal, more games — especially Calder Cup playoff games — would provide the best exposure.

The ideal situation for Garbowsky may be to sign with a team whose NHL parent is also playoff bound and poised for a long Stanley Cup playoff run, so members of the AHL team are on recall and stay there.

While Garbowsky was RIT's prime offensive weapon, coach Wayne Wilson knows that the St. George, Ontario, native is just as good defensively. Or better.

And that will be how Garbowsky becomes an effective pro, by playing a 200-foot game, by winning faceoffs, by killing penalties and by thriving in a defense-first role.

He has a good skill-set, but it's not elite. However, his thinking, his on-ice awareness and his attention to every little detail can be considered elite elements in his overall game.