Golden Knights Sign Six Free Agents; Trade Emelin To Nashville

VEGAS (July 1, 2017) - Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee announced today, July 1, the following transactions: the team has signed defenseman Brad Hunt (two-year contract through the 2018-19 season worth an average annual value of $650,000), defenseman Chris Casto (one-year contract through the 2017-18 season with an average annual value of $650,000 at the NHL level), goaltender Maxime Lagace (one-year contract through the 2017-18 season worth an average annual value of $650,000 at the NHL level), forward Paul Thompson (one-year contract through the 2017-18 season worth an average annual value of $650,000 at the NHL level), forward Stefan Matteau (one-year contract through the 2017-18 season worth an average annual value of $650,000 at the NHL level) and forward T.J. Tynan (two-year contract through the 2018-19 season worth an average value of $650,000 at the NHL level).
In addition to the signings, the Golden Knights acquired Nashville's third round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for defenseman Alexei Emelin. Emelin was selected by the Golden Knights during the 2017 Expansion Draft (Montreal Canadiens).

Brad Hunt, Defenseman
Nationality: Canada
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 187 lbs
Age: 28
Draft: Undrafted
Notes:
-Has nine points (2 G, 7 A) in 33 career NHL games
-Played NCAA hockey with Bemidji State from 2008 to 2012
-Claimed from waivers by the Nashville Predators on January 17, 2017
Chris Casto, Defenseman
Nationality: United States of America
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 209 lbs
Age: 25
Draft: Undrafted
Notes:
-Had 12 points (1 G, 11 A) in 59 games for the AHL's Providence Bruins during the 2016-17 season
-Played two seasons in the NCAA with the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2011-13
-Signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on March 26, 2013
Maxime Lagace, Goaltender
Nationality: Canada
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 lbs
Age: 24
Draft: Undrafted
Notes:
-Sported an 11-12-2 record with a 3.56 goals against average and a save percentage of 0.883 during the 2016-17 season with the AHL's Texas Stars
-Split time with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads and the AHL's Texas Stars during the 2015-16 season and helped lead the Stars to a playoff appearance after posting a record of 19-10-3 with a 2.90 goals against average and a save percentage of 0.913
-Signed an entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars on July 23, 2012
Paul Thompson, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200 lbs
Age: 28
Draft: Undrafted
Notes:
-Has three points (0 G, 3 A) in 24 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers (21 games in 2016-17) and the New Jersey Devils (3 games in 2015-16)
-Traded from New Jersey to Florida on June 10, 2016
-Spent time with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds (2016-17), Albany Devils (2014-16), Springfield Falcons (2013-14) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2010-14)
-Played four seasons in the NCAA with the University of New Hampshire from 2007-11
-Signed an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 28, 2011
Stefan Matteau Jr. Forward
Nationality: Canada/United States of America
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 220 lbs
Age: 23
Draft: Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft
Notes:
-Has six points (3 G, 3 A) in 56 career NHL games
-Had 25 points (12 G, 13 A) in 67 games in the 2016-17 season for the AHL's St. John's Ice Caps
-His father, Stephane Matteau, won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994
T.J. Tynan, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 165 lbs
Age: 25
Draft: Selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round (66th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft
Notes:
-Had 41 points (12 G, 29 A) in 72 games for the AHL's Cleveland Monsters during the 2016-17 season
-Helped lead the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters to a Calder Cup title during the 2015-16 season and accumulated 46 points (6 G, 40 A) in 76 regular season games
-Spent two seasons with the AHL's Springfield Falcons from 2013-15.
-Played four seasons in the NCAA with Notre Dame from 2010-14.
-Signed an entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 1, 2014
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