Carolina Hurricanes sign prospect forward Lucas Wallmark

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Thursday that the team had signed forward Lucas Wallmark to a three-year, entry-level contract.

At the National Hockey League (NHL) level, the deal will pay Wallmark $575,000 in 2015-16, $600,000 in 2016-17, and $650,000 in 2017-18

At the American Hockey League (AHL) level, Wallmark would receive $65,000 per season.

Walmark received a signing bonus of $225,000.

“Lucas has good hockey sense and can contribute in all three zones in different situations,” executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis said.

“We are pleased that he has chosen to continue his professional development in our organization.”

Wallmark, 19, totaled five goals and 13 assists (18 points) in 50 games with Lulea of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2014-15, all of which were career bests in Sweden’s top league.

The Umea, Sweden, native led Lulea in playoff scoring, registering five assists during the team’s first-round series loss to Frolunda.

Wallmark also represented Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship, ranking tied for first among Swedish skaters in goals (4) and plus/minus (+3), while totaling six points in seven games.

The Hurricanes selected Wallmark in the fourth round (97th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.

His international experience includes eight major tournaments representing his home country, and included winning silver alongside current Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden.