Los Angeles Kings sign top draft pick Brandt Clarke to 3-year deal

EL SEGUNDO, California. The Los Angeles Kings signed the best draft pick, Brandt Clarke, to a 3-year entry-level contract worth $ 2.775 million.
Clarke accepted the deal Tuesday after the Kings chose the defender with an eighth overall win last month.
Clarke, 18, is expected to play in the Ontario Hockey League for most of next season, where he scored 38 points with Barrie in 57 games during the 2019-20 season.

He led all rookie OHL defenders in points and assists (32) and finished second with six goals.
Clarke spent the last season in Slovakia at HC Nové Zámky and scored 15 points in 26 games after OHL’s season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Clarke is a key component of the Kings’ formidable elite lineup, led by Center Quinton Byfield, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020. Los Angeles Junior Group also includes center Alex Turcotte, defender Tobias Björnfot, center Rasmus Kupari, and left-wing Arthur Kaliyev.