Bruno Gervais signs with Bolts

Well, that didn't take long.

Just a matter of hours after his acquisition from the New York Islanders at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and shortly after the announcement he was tendered a qualifying offer from the club, new Lightning defenseman Bruno Gervais has signed a one-year, one-way contract.

Bruno is likely slated to play 3rd pair, or perhaps be carried as a 7th defenseman.  Of course, things could change with the off-season, but that's how it's projected right now.

The full press release from the club is below the jump.

LIGHTNING SIGN RESTRITCTED FREE AGENT D BRUNO GERVAIS

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed restricted free agent defenseman Bruno Gervais (ZHUR-vay, BROO-noh) to a one-year, one-way contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Gervais, 6-1, 200 pounds, appeared in 53 games with the New York Islanders last season, recording six assists and averaging 15:40 in ice time per game.  He has played in 331 career NHL games, all with the Islanders.  During that time he amassed nine goals and 68 points with two power-play goals and two game-winners.  Gervais also played in five playoff games while with the Islanders during the 2007 playoffs, recording a goal and two points. 

A native of Longueuil, Quebec, Gervais was acquired by the Lightning from New York at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on June 25 in exchange for future considerations.  He was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round, 182^nd overall, of the 2003 draft.  Gervais played his junior hockey at Acadie-Bathhurst, where he skated in 160 regular season games from 2001-04, accumulating 30 goals and 76 points.  In 2002-03 he led all QMJHL defensemen in goals with 22 and was fifth for points with 50 en route to being named to the second all-star team.