The Prince George Cougars have another reason to watch the Saskatoon Contacts play next season in the Saskatchewan triple-A midget hockey league.
The Cougars announced Wednesday they've signed defenceman Jack Michell of Saskatoon to a standard WHL agreement. The Cats selected the 15-year-old with their third pick in the bantam draft in May, the 53rd player taken in the draft.
"It was a huge honour to get drafted by the Prince George Cougars," said Michell, in a team release. "I can move the puck very well, I make a strong first pass, I can play physical and I am going to make sure I come to my first training camp in the best shape possible."
The six-foot-one, 170-pound Michell will play for the Contacts along with defenceman Cole Beamin, the Cougars' second-round pick in 2015, who signed with the team earlier this week.
Last season Michell had six goals, 12 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 30 games for the double-A bantam Saskatoon Stallions. He also scored three goals in three playoff games. In seven games as an underage player with the Contacts he was held scoreless and had 12 penalty minutes.
"Heading into the 2016 draft we set out to add some top-end defensive talent in the early rounds, and getting Jack Michell in Round 3 was a steal for us," said Cougars general manager Todd Harkins. "Jack has major upside in all areas of his game, and we're very excited to have him signed and a part of our organization."
