The Tampa Bay Lightning have added depth to their prospect ranks by signing Minnesota-Duluth forward J.T. Brown to a 2-year entry-level contract. Brown will be reporting to the Lightning immediately (and burning off the first year of his two-way contract in the process) and will play as early as Saturday against Winnipeg.
The Duluth News Tribune gives financial details about Browns deal:
[….] contract worth $832,500 if playing in the NHL and $70,000 in the minor leagues, plus a $92,500 signing bonus each year. He will make about $5,000 per day the rest of the NHL regular season, which will count as the first year of his contract
Brown, who is 21 years old and stands 5′ 10″ while weighing 170 pounds, has been an offensive force for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs over the past two seasons in the WCAC. His collegiate profile notes that his offensive output was the best for a Bulldog hockey player since Brett Hull. That’s not exactly bad company to be associate with, now is it?
J.T. is also the son of former NFL running back Ted Brown, who played eight seasons in the backfield for the Minnesota Vikings from 1979 until 1986.
Below the jump, you’ll find the team’s press release on the signing.
Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Forward JT BrownThe Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward J.T. Brown to a two-year contract that runs through the 2012-13 season, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today.
“We are pleased to announce JT’s signing with the Lightning this evening,” said Yzerman. “He has all the top characteristics we look for in a player, including high skill and compete levels. We’re glad he chose to play for the Lightning and we look forward to getting him in the lineup as quickly as possible.”
Brown, 21, played in 39 games with the University of Minnesota-Duluth this season, recording 24 goals and 47 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound forward ranked first on Minnesota-Duluth in goals and third in points. Brown ranked tied for sixth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in points. The sophomore was also named to the All-WCHA First Team this season.
“I am excited about this opportunity to come to Tampa Bay and play for the Lightning,” said Brown. “I see the organization as a great fit for me and although I had a tough decision to make, I definitely feel it was the right one. I can’t wait to get started.”
The Burnsville, Minnesota native has skated in 81 career games with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs over the past two seasons, collecting 40 goals and 84 points to go along with 109 penalty minutes. Last season, Brown was a member of the Bulldogs team that captured the 2011 Frozen Four Championship, being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Brown looks to join the Lightning later this week and he most likely will see action for the team this season.
