The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenceman and second overall pick Victor Hedman to a standard three-year rookie contract on Thursday, team executive VP and GM Brian Lawton announced.
"We are thrilled to be able to take this next step with Victor today," said Lawton. "He has a bright future and we intend on him being a member of the Lightning for a long time. We are excited to get his signing behind us so he can solely focus on hockey and the continued development of his game."
The 6'6, 220-pound Swede was rated as the top European player available in the NHL Entry Draft.
Hedman earned rookie of the year honours as an 18-year-old with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League last season, putting up seven goals and 14 assists in 43 games and recording a plus-21.
There was much speculation leading up to the Draft about whether the New York Islanders would select Hedman or OHL star John Tavares with their number one pick. Once the Isles locked up Tavares, the Lightning scooped up the massive blueliner.
Hedman won two silver medals playing for Sweden in the last two World Junior Championships.