Predators Officially Announce Roman Josi Signing

The Nashville Predators officially announced the signing of 19 year old defensive prospect Roman Josi to a high dollar three year entry level contract. According to Cap Geek, the cap hit would be $1 million a year including salary and bonuses for any time spent at the NHL level.

The Bern, Switzerland native, has played in numerous international competitions and was scheduled to play for the Swiss Olympic team in Vancouver before suffering a hand injury. He is one of the Preds higher regarded prospects as indicated by the dollar value of the signing.

The signing first hit the Internet on Thursday at Swiss Hockey site Slapshot.ch.

Here is the official release from the Predators...

PREDATORS SIGN 2008 SECOND ROUNDER ROMAN JOSI

Nashville, Tenn. (May 28, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2008 second round draft pick Roman Josi (ROH-man YO-see) to a three-year entry-level contract.

Josi, 19 (6/1/90), helped SC Bern win both the Swiss League regular season and playoff titles in 2009-10. In Bern’s postseason run, the 6-1 198-pounder led all defensemen and tied for fourth overall in goals (6), in addition to ranking second at the position and tied for ninth among all skaters in points (13). During the 2009-10 regular season, Josi was limited to 26 of Bern’s 50 contests due to injury, but ranked second among Swiss blueliners in points per game (.81). In 2008-09, he led all Swiss League junior players in points (7), goals (17) and assists (24), and in 2007-08, Josi was one of just four 17-year-olds to play in Switzerland’s top division.

The 38th overall selection in 2008 also has a lengthy international play resume. The Bern, Switzerland native led Swiss defensemen in points (1g-2a-3pts) and plus/minus rating (+3) in seven games in his second appearance at the World Championships in May. He has also played three World Junior Championships and two U-18 World Championships. Josi was named to the Swiss team for the 2010 Olympics, but could not participate due to injury.

Josi will attend Predators training camp in September, and is expected to play his first North American season in 2010-11.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass