It was announced earlier today that the Dallas Stars 2013 NHL Draft pick, 10th Overall, Valeri Nichushkin has signed a three year entry level contract with the Stars.
This is big news for the Stars, especially with fears over Russians heading back to the KHL, and a sign that Nichushkin is serious about committing to the organisation. He is the second first round pick out of the 2013 NHL Draft Class to sign with their team. Jonathan Drouin signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.
There have been a series of statements released on twitter by the Stars Communication Twitter Account.
The Dallas #Stars have signed Valeri Nichushkin to a three-year entry level deal.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 6, 2013
“Valeri is a skilled and competitive forward who we feel was at the top of the talent pool in this season’s NHL Draft,” said GM Jim Nill.
— Stars Communications (@StarsPR) July 6, 2013
“…we feel that he can come in and immediately compete for a job at the NHL level.” – Nill
— Stars Communications (@StarsPR) July 6, 2013
Stars Press Release:
DALLAS STARS SIGN FIRST ROUND SELECTION VALERI NICHUSHKIN
FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed right wing Valeri Nichushkin to a three-year, entry-level contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Nichushkin, 18, appeared in 18 contests with Chelyabinsk (KHL) during the 2012-13 regular season, recording six points (4G-2A=6P) and a +6 plus/minus rating. He also appeared in 25 postseason contests with the club, posting nine points (6G-3A=9P) and a +5 rating. A three-time KHL Rookie of the Month award winner last season, Nichushkin earned the KHL’s 2012-13 Aleksei Cherepanov Award given annually to the League’s top rookie.
The Russian winger represented his home country at the 2013 Under-20 World Junior Championship. Nichushkin finished the tournament with two points (1G-1A=2P) in six games, and scored the game-winning goal in the bronze medal game against Canada. He also competed in the 2013 Under-18 World Championship in Sochi, Russia where he recorded seven points (4G-3A=7P) in six contests. During the 2012 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge with Team Russia, he took home the gold medal at the 2012 notching nine points (5G-4A=9P) to finish second on the team and fifth overall in tournament scoring.
“Valeri is a skilled and competitive forward who we feel was at the top of the talent pool in this season’s NHL Draft,” said Nill. “He spent the last season playing against men in a very strong league and we feel that he can come in and immediately compete for a job at the NHL level.”
The 6-foot-3, 196-pound native of Chelyabinsk, Russia was selected by Dallas in the first round (10th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.