The Arizona Coyotes' first entry-level contract to a member of their 2020 draft class went to the last player they chose last October.
The club on Thursday announced the signing of forward Ben McCartney to a three-year contract, and after he made the leap from Brandon (Canada) of the major junior Western Hockey League to Tucson of the AHL before his season ended, the path is clear for the 19-year-old former seventh-round pick to start next season with the Roadrunners.
McCartney, who will turn 20 this summer, was the 204th player taken in last year's NHL Entry Draft.