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Colorado Avalanche sign prospect Sampo Ranta to ELC contract

Ranta was the top scorer on Minnesota’s men’s hockey team.

By HardevLad
2018 NHL Draft - Portraits
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: Sampo Ranta poses for a portrait after being selected 78th overall by the Colorado Avalanche during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas.
Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward prospect Sampo Ranta, 20, to a three-year entry-level contract. Ranta, drafted in the third round of the 2018 draft by the Avs and has spent the last three years at the University of Minnesota where he led the 2020-21 Men’s hockey team in goals and points.

It is unclear at this point whether Ranta’s contract begins this season (2020-21) or will begin at the start of the 2021-22 season. With the NCAA season over, Ranta is eligible to either join the AHL Colorado Eagles on his ELC or sign an ATO with them for the remainder of the season.

While he fell in the 2019 Top 25 Under 25, Ranta has the potential to be a very impactful NHL player very soon. A few days ago, Tom wrote about the potential NCAA signings the Avs could make. Ranta was on the list, and lo, here he is.

“Ranta, who is one of the best goal scorers in the NCAA, is almost certain to turn pro this week. After putting up 19 goals—second in the nation—and 31 points in 31 games as a junior, most believe Ranta is set to move on from the University of Minnesota.”