Stars sign defenseman Honka to three-year contract

Defenseman Julius Honka signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars, the team announced Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Stars' first-round pick (No. 14) in the 2014 NHL Draft, Honka, 18, had 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) in 62 regular-season games for Swift Current of the Western Hockey League last season. In his first season in North America, he tied for third on the Broncos with two goals in six playoff games.

"We are happy to have signed Julius quickly so that the young defenseman can continue the process of developing his game," Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. "He's highly skilled, moves the puck extremely well and is very competent at running a power play. We are really excited about his potential and think he has the tools to grow into an NHL defenseman in the near future."

A native of Jyvaskyla, Finland, Honka won a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he had one assist in seven games. He won a bronze medal for Finland at the 2013 World Under-18 Championship, where he had four points (one goal, three assists) in seven games.