Rangers sign 2012 first-round pick Skjei

The New York Rangers signed defenseman Brady Skjei to an entry-level contract Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but Skjei will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

Skjei, 21, was selected in the first round (No. 28) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He had one goal, 10 points and a plus-7 rating in 33 games for the University of Minnesota this season, his third with the school. He established a career-high and tied for third among team defensemen with nine assists to help the Golden Gophers win the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles.

Skjei (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) had eight goals and 27 points in 109 career games at Minnesota. He set career-highs in games played (40), goals (six), points (14), and plus-minus rating (plus-15) during his sophomore season in 2013-14.