Mitchell Stephens Gets Entry-Level Deal From Tampa

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed 2015 2nd round (33rd overall) draft pick Mitchell Stephens to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.

The deal carries a $840,000 AAV, reports TVA’s Renaud Lavoie.

The 19-year-old played 39 games for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit this season, potting 20 goals and 38 points. He missed 29 games due to injury, as well as missing some time during the 2016 World Junior Championship.

He suited up for Team Canada at World Juniors, where he was to play shut down role for the team. He had a few good performances in there, but Canada saw themselves to an unexpectedly early exit. Stephens had one goal and one assist through five WJC games.

His OHL season came to an end this week when the Spirit were swept by the Erie Otters in the opening round of the playoffs.