New York Islanders Sign Ross Johnston from Charlottetown Islanders

Purely in the interest of confusing Internet searches everywhere, the New York Islanders have signed Ross Johnson of the Charlottetown (PEI) Islanders in the QMJHL to a three-year, entry level contract. His team is still in the Quebec League playoffs.

Johnston, 21, went undrafted in the NHL draft but was a 2014 summer rookie camp and training camp invite of the Islanders -- the New York ones. He also attended a Calgary Flames rookie camp via invitation in 2012. Known more for his size (between 6'4 - 6'5, 225-230 lbs.) and willingness to use it without appearing to skate in cement, this is more of a Mike Halmo kind of signing.

[Update: Ren Lavoie of TVA reports the deal is for $2 million total, although that's the NHL rate -- a pro-rated $667,000 per season when in the NHL -- whereas the important figure is whatever he'll be making at the AHL level.]

Johnston's noticeable but not extravagant fight card includes a completely uneventful* tilt in an Islanders -- the New York one -- uniform during the split-squad game in Bridgeport against the Boston Bruins last fall. For what it's worth, HockeyFights.com voters decided that non-event was won by Christopher Breen:

*uneventful for spectators. Turns out he broke his jaw in the quick fight:

Johnston is the kind of longshot unlikely to ever make an NHL lineup, but he'll provide something of what they want in AHL Bridgeport, with the carrot of NHL wages if he ever earns a pro callup over the next three years. The Islanders have some history of giving such guys their NHL debut when roster injuries and emergencies strike, so you never know.