Hurricanes Sign First Round Pick Elias Lindholm

The Carolina Hurricanes announced this afternoon that they signed the fifth overall selection in this year's entry draft, Elias Lindholm, to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay the rookie $832,500 at the NHL level or $70,000 at the AHL level, for all three years.

Lindholm also received a signing bonus of $277,500.

The Hurricanes are counting on the young Swede to make the team this season and Jim Rutherford said he would be "shocked" if he did not. Lindholm is most comfortable at center but can play all three forward positions.

The team's press release follows:

‘CANES SIGN LINDHOLM TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

Swedish forward was the fifth overall selection in the 2013 NHL Draft

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Elias Lindholm to a three-year, entry-level contract. Lindholm will receive $832,500 at the NHL level or $70,000 at the AHL level in all three years. He receives a signing bonus of $277,500.

Lindholm, 18, appeared in 48 games during the 2012-13 season for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League, scoring 11 goals and earning 19 assists (30 points) to rank third on the team in scoring despite being the youngest player on its roster. The Boden, Sweden, native was a finalist for Swedish Elite League rookie of the year after leading all junior-aged players in scoring. Lindholm (6’1", 192 lbs.) represented Sweden and captured the silver medal at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship in January. In 2012, he was a member of Sweden’s silver-medal-winning team at the IIHF World U18 Championship.

ELIAS LINDHOLM’S CAREER STATISTICS

REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS

YEAR TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM

2009-10 Brynas Swe-J18 Elit 5 1 3 4 0 - - - - -

Brynas Swe-J18 Allsv. 4 3 3 6 0 - - - - -

2010-11 Brynas Swe-J20 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0

Brynas Swe-J18 Elit 22 10 28 38 16 - - - - -

Brynas Swe-J18 Allsv. 18 7 16 23 16 4 3 3 6 29

2011-12 Brynas Swe-Elit 12 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

Brynas Swe-J20 36 14 35 49 45 2 1 1 2 16

Brynas Swe-J18 Elit 2 0 3 3 0 - - - - -

Brynas Swe-J18 Allsv. 2 1 3 4 0 3 1 2 3 0

Sweden WJC-U18 4 2 1 3 2 - - - - -

2012-13 Brynas Swe-Elit 48 11 19 30 2 4 0 0 0 4

Sweden WJC 6 2 2 4 4 - - - - -

Swedish Elite League totals (2 seasons) 60 11 19 30 2 6 0 0 0 4

Swedish J20 totals (2 seasons) 38 14 35 49 45 4 1 2 3 16