Defenseman Zach Whitecloud is in Vegas to stay. The Golden Knights just announced, via their Twitter account, that they have agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with him. The deal, which is worth a total of $16 million, will pay him an average salary of $2.75 million per year.
Whitecloud, 24, has never been drafted in the NHL. Scouted by the Golden Knights during his years at Bemidji State University, the 6-foot-2, 211-pound right-handed defenseman is in his fourth season with the Nevada organization, but only his second full season in the big leagues.
Whitecloud has appeared in 72 regular season games in the NHL, recording 14 points, including two goals. He has also played 39 games in the playoffs and has one assist in four games so far this season.
With this new contract, Whitecloud joins a very short list of players who have signed contracts of five years or more with an annual salary of less than $3 million. Only forwards Colton Sissons, Calle Jarnkrok and Casey Cizikas, and defensemen John Moore and Scott Mayfield did the same.
