The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they’ve signed third-round pick Sven Andrighetto to a three-year entry-level contract.
There are certain advantages in drafting an older player later in the draft, as Andrighetto will be playing in Hamilton to begin the year instead of junior. A lot of people thought that Andrighetto was an overage junior last year, but that’s not actually true, as he was just 19 until March 21st. He was one of the older players in the draft though.
What’s interesting is that his production isn’t just something that’s come around since he was older and stronger than most of his competition, as the 5’10”, 181 pound winger has been putting up good numbers for awhile. Earlier today, Bruce Peter made some interesting observations:
Sven Andrighetto has the best NHL Equivalency total of any recent Habs prospect in their age 19 season.
— Bruce Peter (@saskhab) July 15, 2013
Andrighetto also had the best World Jr. point totals of any recent Habs prospect.
— Bruce Peter (@saskhab) July 15, 2013
Andrighetto will finish his junior career with 67 goals and 172 points in 115 games, not too shabby. Here are his career statistics:
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Monday the signing of forward Sven Andrighetto to a three-year, entry level contract (2013-14 to 2015-16).
In 115 games with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies over the past two seasons, Andrighetto, recorded 67 goals and a total of 172 regular season point and served 95 penalty minutes. He also displayed a +25 plus/minus differential last season. The Huskies top scorer with 98 points in 2012-13, Andrighetto also ranked 6th in the QMJHL’s scoring race. The 5’10” and 181 lbs right winger also played a total of 18 playoff games with the Huskies, including 14 games in 2012-13, collecting 30 points (8 goals, 22 assists) averaging 1.78 point per game in the league playoffs.
The 20 year-old right winger, who also earned a berth on the QMJHL all-rookie team in 2011-12, played for his native Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships the past two years, notching in 6 goals and 4 assists in 12 games. Andrighetto also played with the Swiss national team at the U-18 World Championships in 2010 and 2011, recording 8 points in 12 contests.
A native of Sumiswald, near Berne, Switzerland, Andrighetto was selected in the third round, 86th overall by the Canadiens at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He took part in his first Canadiens’ development camp this month.
