The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms with defenceman Leon Gawanke on a three-year, entry-level deal that carries an average annual value of $810,000 in the NHL on Thursday.
Gawanke, who was chosen by the Jets in the fifth round (136 th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, is coming off a season that saw him produce career-bests in goals (17), assists (40) and points (57) with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Jets needed to sign Gawanke before June 1 or he would have gone back into the 2019 NHL Draft.
Gawanke, a 19-year-old from Germany, is a mobile, puck-moving defenceman and he will begin his pro career with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League this fall.
The right-handed shooting blue-liner finished third in scoring among defencemen in the QMJHL this season.
Gawanke had 29 goals and 121 points in three seasons with the Screaming Eagles.
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