Svechnikov signs three-year contract with Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Including a signing bonus, the contract has an average annual value of $925,000.

"This an exciting moment for our organization," Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said. "Andrei is the type of elite talent that you can build a team around. He has a bright future in a Carolina Hurricanes uniform."

Svechnikov, 18, was ranked first among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the draft. The Buffalo Sabres selected defenseman Rasmus Dahlin with the No. 1 pick.

Svechnikov had 72 points (40 goals, 32 assists) in 44 games with Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League this season and finished the regular season with a 23-game point streak. Svechnikov had 24 multipoint games and was held without a point six times during the regular season. He had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in eight playoff games.

Svechnikov (6-foot-33, 184 pounds) won the 2017-18 CHL Top Prospect Award and was named OHL Rookie of the Year. He came to the OHL after playing for Muskegon of the United States Hockey League in 2016-17, finishing with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in 48 games to win USHL Rookie of the Year.