Edmonton Oilers sign star prospect Oscar Klefbom to entry-level deal -NHL Update
Edmonton Oilers have signed one of the top prospects of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, defenseman Oscar Klefbom, to a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
The Canadian team’s general manager, Steve Tambellini, was the one to make it official through a statement.
"We are very pleased with Oscar's growth over the past year since we drafted him last June," Oilers’ GM, Steve Tambellini, said. "His development continues to improve. Oscar is a big puck-moving defenseman who has shown tremendous poise and ability playing
in Sweden's top professional league, and particularly at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta.”
"We look forward to Oscar Klefbom wearing an Oilers uniform for years to come," he added.
Klefbom was picked up as the 19-th overall player during round-one of last year’s entry draft and has become a defensive sensation since that time period.
The financial terms and conditions of his entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers were not made public by the franchise after the announcement.
The 18-year-old led his team, Team Sweden, to a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship, which took place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Calgary. He was given the honour of being inducted to the tournament’s First All-Star Team as well,
which definitely something that impressed Edmonton at all levels.
Edmonton Oilers let Klefbom develop more over the year and instead had signed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall draft pick that played during the 2011-2012 NHL regular season.
The defensive prospect was also a captain of Team Sweden back in 2011, during which he led the team to a silver medal during the Under-18 World Hockey Championship.
Klefbom continued to play in the Sweden league last year with Farjestads BK Karlstad. He potted a goal and an assist in 23 games played in the regular season.
Edmonton Oilers have the number one pick yet again, making it three times in a row, for the upcoming entry draft which is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this upcoming Friday and Saturday.
It will be interesting to see who Edmonton Oilers choose and how Oscar Klefbom will adjust on the squad during the next regular season.
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