The Minnesota Wild have signed Everett Silvertips forward Connor Dewar to an NHL entry-level contract that starts with the 2019-2020 season.
The Wild announced the move Tuesday. The value of the three-year deal was not disclosed.
“It’s just a big weight off my shoulders and a sign of development and progress from me,” Dewar said. “When I got drafted by Minnesota, my next step was to get that contract and hopefully move on a play pro hockey eventually. It’s just exciting to get that opportunity.”
Dewar, a native of Pas, Manitoba, was selected by the Wild in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2018 NHL draft after collecting 68 points in 68 games for the Silvertips last season.
“It’s awesome,” Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams said. “It’s why the players play here. You want an opportunity to play in the National Hockey League and Minnesota got a good one there.
“I couldn’t be happier for him and his family. From what I saw last year and this year to now, his growth and improvement has been next to none and his leadership has been next to none. He definitely deserves everything that he’s been given.”
The Wild were fairly late in signing him, but there was little doubt he’d sniff a contract after the season he’s had in Everett.
Dewar, 19, leads the Silvertips in points this season with 75 (34 goals, 41 assists). The Silvertips’ captain is a natural left winger, but has slotted in up the middle this season because of Everett’s lack of depth at center. He’s collected 191 points total in his 265-game career in Everett.
“It’s always in the back of your head,” Dewar said. “You watching around the league and watch other guys get signed and you don’t like to compare yourself to them, but it’s human nature how you do it and wonder what you’re doing wrong and what they’re doing. Sometimes it eats your way at you, but I think I had a great attitude about to just not worry about it and put in the back of my mind.”
Josh Horton covers the Everett Silvertips and AquaSox for The Herald. Follow him on Twitter (@joshhortonEDH) or reach out to him over email (jhorton@heraldnet.com).
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