St. Cloud State junior forward Ryan Poehling signed a contract Sunday to play with the Montreal Canadiens organization.
Poehling, 20, played two seasons at Lakeville North before spending a season playing for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. He then graduated from high school early so that he could play with his brothers, twins Jack and Nick, two years older, at St. Cloud State.
Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin said the team had agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with Poehling, the team's first-round pick (25th overall) in the 2017 NHL draft. Poehling participated in Montreal's development camp in 2017 and '18.
The 6-2, 200-pound Poehling had 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 36 games this season. A first-team All-NCHC pick in 2018-19, Poehling helped St. Cloud State win two consecutive conference regular-season titles.
Poehling registered a total of 75 points (29 goals, 46 assists) in 107 games over three college seasons. The Huskies went 30-6-3 overall this season and 19-2-3 in the NCHC, and they were the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA tournament but lost to American International in the first round on Friday in Fargo, N.D.
Poehling was a member of Team USA in the past two World Junior Championships. He was named both tournament MVP and Best Forward at this year's event in Vancouver, helping the Americans win a silver medal. He had eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games.
He joins Huskies senior Patrick Newell in signing pro contracts over the past two days. Newell signed with the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Newell, 23, was St. Cloud State's leading scorer this season with 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists), tied for fourth-most in the nation.
The 5-10, 170-pound Newell also led the NCAA at plus-35 and was one of the final 10 picks for the Hobey Baker Award. He was the unanimous selection for NCHC Forward of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection.
