DENVER (AP) — Top draft pick Nathan MacKinnon has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
Executive vice president Joe Sakic hailed MacKinnon’s signing, saying Tuesday that “his presence will bring additional speed and talent to our team as well as a lot of excitement to our fans.”
MacKinnon was the first overall selection in the NHL draft last month. He’s the first player selected first overall by the Avalanche since the franchise moved from Quebec in 1995.
MacKinnon led the Halifax Mooseheads to their first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title and their first Memorial Cup championship. He was named MVP of the Memorial Cup after collecting a tournament-best 13 points in just four games.
He was just the third 17-year-old drafted No. 1 overall in the last 26 years.
