The Carolina Hurricanes have signed their second round pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Victor Rask, 18, is currently leading his team, the Calgary Hitmen, in points (4G, 6A, 10Pts in 8 games) and leading all WHL rookies in points/game.
Rask, who is a native of Sweden, was enigmatic in his comments since the draft as his plans for this current year were evolving. That he has signed now, while playing junior hockey is an excellent sign that both sides are looking forward to his future playing hockey in North Carolina.
The full release is up after the jump include the specifics on compensation, which include a $277,500 signing bonus. Rask will receive $550,000 his first year in the NHL, escalating to $650k and $750k in the following years of the three year deal. He will make $70,000 annually if in the minor leagues.
RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Victor Rask on a three-year, entry-level contract. At the NHL level, the deal will pay Rask $550,000 in the first year, $650,000 in the second year and $750,000 in the third year, or he will make $70,000 per year at the minor-league level. He also receives a signing bonus of $277,500.
"Victor is a smart player with a lot of offensive upside to his game," said Francis. "He is leading Calgary in scoring so far this year, and we are excited to watch him continue to develop."
Rask, 18, is in his first season of major junior hockey in North America, and currently leads the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 10 points in eight games (6g, 4a). The Leksand, Sweden, native spent the majority of 2010-11 with Leksand of the Sweden’s second professional division, scoring five goals and earning six assists (11 points) in 37 games. Rask (6’2", 194 lbs.) has represented Sweden in 10 international competitions, including the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 World Junior Championships, helping his country capture the silver medal in 2010 and 2011.The Hurricanes drafted Rask in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.