Islanders sign Lake Superior State defenseman Kevin Czuczman [Update]

The New York Islanders announced the signing Lake Superior State defenseman Kevin Czuczman to a two-year contract this afternoon. The 6-3, 205 pound Czuczman will report directly to the Islanders, per the official team statement.

Chris Dilks of SB Nation College Hockey has more details on Czuczman, who was a sought-after commodity among NCAA scouts:

NHL Draft expert Mark Seidel said as many as 16 NHL teams had expressed interest in signing Czuczman.

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We recently selected Czuczman as a first team All-WCHA defenseman, and had him ranked 82nd on our list of the top 100 NHL prospects in the NCAA.

A native of Port Elgin, Ontario, Czuczman led all WCHA defenseman with 10 goals in 36 games this season. The 23-year old was named the team's most valuable defenseman as a sophomore last season and played 114 games for Lake Superior State, collecting 14 goals and 31 assists.

Lake Superior State boasts as alumni former Islanders Doug Weight and Brian Rolston, who I'm assuming actually showed up to play for them.

Czuczman's favorite superhero is Batman, so he's already OK in my book.

Did we mention, Czuczman is 6-3? He's 6-3. Maybe it should be pronounced "Mega Churchman?"

Update:

The official site has a full story on Czuczman, with quotes from the young man himself on signing his first pro contract and why, on God's green Earth, he would choose the Islanders. As previously reported, he has worked out in the off season with new teammates John Tavares, Ryan Strome and Casey Cizikas.

"My comfort with New York was the key to me signing there," Czuczman said. "The culture that is starting to develop and the opportunity to be a part of something special with a new wave of players coming up is something that's too good to pass up on.

"It's definitely going in the right direction and I want to be a part of it," he added.