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According to the Devils' website, GM Ray Shero has just announced the Devils have signed D Yohann Auvitu to a two-way, one year entry-level deal.
Auvit-who?
Earlier this month, it was rumored that some NHL team were taking interest in the 6'0", 200lb defenseman.
Appears to be some NHL interest in French d-man, Yohann Auvitu. #18 for those scoring at home. Decent skater and moves the puck well.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 16, 2016
With today's news, it appears that he will start his NHL career in New Jersey.
The 26 year-old defenseman is coming from Finland's top professional league, SM-Liiga. He spent four seasons with JYP Jyvaskyla before his final two with HIFK Helsinki. He has also represented the Mont-Blanc club in the French League, as well as representing at the seven previous World Championships, three under-20 Division World Junior Championships, 2 under-18 Division 1 World Junior Championships, and the 2013 qualifying round of the Winter Olympics.
Stats on Stats
This past season, Auvitu put up 6 goals and 15 assists in 48 regular season games. He then led the league in playoff +/- (+8) and led all playoff defensemen with 6 goals and 13 points. Additionally, he was awarded the Pekka Rautakallio Award, which is awarded to the League's Best Defenseman, and was also named to the league's first All-Star Team.
In his SM-Liiga career, he has 19 goals and 38 assists in 216 games played. He also has 13 goals and 11 assists in a total of 53 playoff games.
To dive in a little deeper to his development, according to EliteProspects.com, his offensive production has increased significantly from season to season. In 2013-14, he had 6 points up in 29 games with JYP, but in 2014-15 he scored 16 points in 55 games, and in 2015-16 he put up 21 points in just 48 games. Not a bad sign at all.
Your Take
So what's your take on today's signing? Are you excited to see what Auvitu can do with the Devils' organization? Do you think we beat some other teams to a quality pickup, or are you going to wait and see what happens?