Senators sign forward Curtis Lazar to 3-year, entry-level contract

Curtis Lazar, a center, stands with officials from the Ottawa Senators sweater after being chosen 17th overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators signed forward Curtis Lazar to a three-year entry-level contract on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old centre was the Senators' first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot 196-pound native of Salmon Arm, B.C., will enter his third full season of major junior hockey with the Western Hockey League's Edmonton Oil Kings in 2013-'14.

Lazar led the Oil Kings with 38 goals last season and helped the club reach the WHL final against Portland.

He has 93 points (58 goals, 35 assists) and 103 penalty minutes over 141 career WHL games. Lazar also has 31 points (18-13) over 46 career WHL playoff games.