Canucks sign 2014 1st-round pick Jake Virtanen to entry-level contract
The Vancouver Canucks appear to have signed Calgary Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen, selected with the 6th overall pick at the 2014 NHL entry draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. While an official announcement has yet to be released, Virtanen broke the news himself on Twitter:
Such an honour to sign with the Vancouver Canucks ! I'd like to thank everybody who's helped me get to this point especially my family !!
— Jake Virtanen (@Jake_Virtanen) July 25, 2014
Because of Virtanen's age, any entry-level deal he signs will be for three-years of term.
The Hitmen power forward was third among all CHL first time draft eligible skaters in goals per game rate this past season and led all CHL skaters in even-strength goals. He's the first B.C.-born player to be selected by the Canucks in the first round since 1983, when the club took Cam Neely with the ninth overall pick.
Virtanen will not be in Canucks training camp this fall, as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.