Senators sign Patrick Wiercioch to entry-level contract
It's been expected for about a week now, but it has finally been made official: the Ottawa Senators have signed 6'4", 190lb defenseman Patrick Wiercioch to an 3 year entry-level contract. Wiercioch was a second-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Wiercioch had a tremendous two years playing for the Denver University Pioneers, notching 12 goals and 35 points in 36 games during his rookie season, plus 27 points in 39 games this season after being hampered by injuries (which forced him out of contention for Canada's IIHF World Junior team).
Signing a contract with the Ottawa Senators means that Wiercioch's NCAA career has come to a close, as he is ineligible to play college hockey. He is expected to join the Ottawa Senators for the remainder of the season, yet is not expected to play any games so as to not burn off any years on his ELC.