Golden Knights ink NCAA D-man Whitecloud to entry-level deal

The Vegas Golden Knights signed free-agent defenseman Zach Whitecloud to a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday, the team announced.

Whitecloud is coming off his second season at Bemidji State and is expected to join the team in Buffalo on Friday ahead of its game against the Sabres on Saturday afternoon.

The 21-year-old potted four goals and 19 points in 36 games this season, giving him seven goals and 36 points over 77 games during his NCAA career.

Whitecloud recently suited up for Canada at the Karjala Cup - one of the team's pre-Olympic tournaments - where he tallied one assist in two games.

On Thursday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported in his 31 Thoughts column that the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and Tampa Bay Lightning were also believed to have interest in Whitecloud.