TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Artem Sergeev to a three-year entry level contract, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.
Sergeev, 19, played in 46 games with the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season, recording seven goals and 20 points to go along with 46 penalty minutes. He ranked first on the Foreurs defense in power play goals with four and was second in goals. Sergeev also appeared in three playoff games with Val-d’Or, posting nine penalty minutes.
The 6-foot-1, 205 pound defenseman represented Russia at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Calgary, Alberta last year, registering one goal, two points and 12 penalty minutes. He captured the Silver Medal with Russia, losing to Sweden in overtime in the Gold Medal game.
The Moska, Russia native has skated in 110 career games in the QMJHL with the Foreurs, collecting 12 goals and 47 points to go along with 86 penalty minutes. Sergeev has also appeared in seven career postseason games, recording one assist and nine penalty minutes.
"A wild card in more ways than one because he’s so slick and so Russian at times and so very ordinary at others. His skills are clearly there and he’s mobile, very well-built and he’s smart but after a year playing with the Val-d’Or Foreurs, Igor Larionov’s client needs to learn more English and French, feel a little more comfortable doing his own thing and hopefully showing some grit during the prospect tournament." (The Malik Report/Kukla's Corner)