The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have signed goaltender Andrei Vasilevskii to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Vasilevskii was the team's second first round selection in the 2012 NHL entry draft. He was taken with the 19th overall pick, which was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in a deal that sent defenseman Kyle Quincey to the Motor City. Slater Koekkoek was taken with the Lightning's first selection, the 10th overall pick.
The 6-foot-3 goaltender shined in the KHL this year, where he went 14-8 with a 2.21 goals against average and 0.923 save percentage during the regular season. Adding to that, he posted a 9-9 record in the playoffs with a 1.99GAA and 0.934SV%.
Hockey fans in North America are likely most familiar with Vasilevskii's play in the World Junior Championship. Since first suiting up for the Russians in that event during the 2011-12 season, the big goaltender has been nothing short of spectacular.
It was widely known that Lightning GM Steve Yzerman wanted to get Vasilevskii under contract this summer. Arguably the best goaltending prospect in the world right now, Vasilevskii gives the Lightning even more depth at a position that was once a glaring weakness. He is expected to split duties with Kristers Gudlevskis, the Latvian who almost beat Canada at the Olympics, in Syracuse with the Crunch next year.
Congratulations to Andrei Vasilevskii for signing his first NHL contract!
#TBLightning have signed G Andrei Vasilevskii to a three-year, entry-level contract. Release: http://t.co/T7ydoQ04RX pic.twitter.com/J6ePWYc1kS
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 6, 2014