Ottawa Senators rookie forward Curtis Lazar has been informed he'll remain with the team beyond his nine-game trial this season, according to the Senators Twitter account.
The Senators had the option of returning Lazar to the Edmonton Oil Kings prior to playing in his 10th NHL game without having the first year of his entry-level contract kick in. Lazar will likely play his 10th game with the team on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.
Lazar, selected No. 17 in the 2013 NHL Draft, has three assists and 14 shots on goal in nine games with the Senators.
The 19-year-old was most recently playing center on the fourth line with Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone.
"We just want Curtis to be Curtis," Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee told The Canadian Press prior to the season. "He's a very competitive guy. He always plays right; he's always in the right spot. He's good defensively, he's good without the puck and can contribute offensively."