Avs sign top pick Hishon to entry-level contract

Joey Hishon, selected in the first round of the 2010 Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, has signed an entry-level contract with the team.

The 19-year-old Hishon, taken with the 17th pick, is in his fourth season with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League, where he has recorded 36 goals and 83 points in 48 games this season. Hishon’s 1.73 points-per-game average is tied for first among all OHL skaters. Despite missing 17 games, the Stratford, Ontario, native leads the Attack in assists and ranks second in points.

"I'm thrilled to be signing with the Avalanche," said Hishon, who will continue to play with the Attack for the remainder of their season. "Colorado has a young and exciting team and I look forward to being a part of their future."

Hishon was recently voted the "Best Playmaker" and "Best Stickhandler" in the OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll for the 2010-11 season.

"We are pleased to come to terms with our top draft pick," said Avalanche General Manager / Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. "Joey has had a solid junior career and we look forward to him beginning his pro career with our organization."

Hishon was limited to 36 games with Owen Sound in 2009-10 but still produced 16 goals and 40 points for a team-leading 1.11 points-per-game average. In 2008-09, he led Owen Sound in goals (37), assists (44) and points (81) and was voted the “Best Playmaker” and "Best Stickhandler" in the OHL's Western Conference by the league’s coaches.  Hishon has collected 109 goals and 252 points in 213 career games during his major junior career.

Hishon represented Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and was the team's leading scorer with 10 points (5g/5a) in six games. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound center also was named to Team Ontario at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.