Senior Kent Patterson, the Gophers' co-MVP this past season, has signed an entry-level contract with Colorado of the NHL.

The Avs took him in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL -- 113th overall.

Patterson was named to the all-WCHA first team and the American Hockey Coaches Association's second West all-america team. He started every game for the Gophers and had a 28-14-1 record, a 2.32 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

His career goals-against average of 2.46 was second all-time in the program' history (Kellen Briggs had a 2.45 gaa from 2003-07) and his career save percentage of .912 tied for the best ever (Alex Kangas, 2007-11).

The Avs also signed two other goalies, Sami Aittokallio of Finland and Kieran Millan of Boston University.

"All three players had success at the college or international level," said Greg Sherman, Avs' GM and executive VP, "and we look forward to seeing them at training camp."

Aittokallio, 19, was the goalie for the Finns in the 2012 World Junior Championships in Alberta. Finland placed fourth there. He was an Avs' fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

Millan, 22, was 20-14-1 for the Terriers as a senior with a 2.60 gaa and a .923 save percentage. Millan, of Edmonton, Alberta, was BU's MVP for a second consecutive season.

The Blues' had one old goalie and one young goaie this season season. Jean-Sebastian Giguere was 15-11-3 (W-L-OTL) with a 2.24 gaa and a .919 save percentage. He turns 35 on Wednesday. Semyon Varlamov, 24, was 26-24-3 during the regular season with a 2.59 gaa and a .913 save mark.

* Still no decision from Gophers sophomore center Nick Bjugstad on whether he will sign with the Florida Panthers or return for another season. He was a Panthers' first-round draft pick in 2010.