Lightning sign forward Ilya Usau to an entry-level contract

TAMPA BAY -The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Ilya Usau to a three-year, entry-level contract vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today.

Usau, 20, last played in North America during the 2019-20 season with Prince Albert of the Western Hockey League, where he was nearly a point per game scorer with 22 goals and 52 points in 58 games for the Raiders. Usau ranked fourth on Prince Albert for goals and points and fifth for assists (30). At season's end, he was presented the George Cowie Award as the Raiders' rookie of the year.

Born in Minsk, the 6-foot-1, 183-pound Usau has represented Belarus at the World Junior Championships as well as in Olympic qualifying for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In 40 games this season for Dinamo Minsk of the KHL, he's notched nine goals and 26 points.