Flyers sign Sbisa

The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Luca Sbisa to an entry-level contract Wednesday.

"We consider Luca a good, young prospect for us," said GM Paul Holmgren in making the announcement. "We are happy to have it done. He has continued to play well for us through training camp. The fact that he is still here (in training camp) shows that we think very highly of him, and at the end of the day, we will do what we feel is right for the organization and what we feel is right for the development of this young player.”

“It is a great feeling," added Sbisa. "I have been working for this moment since I started playing hockey. I came here and told myself to do my best, have fun and see what happens. I just want to gain as much experience as I can and see what happens.”

Sbisa, 18, is scoreless with eight penalty minutes in four preseason games with the Flyers this season. Last season for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League, he recorded six goals and 27 assists for 33 points and 63 penalty minutes in 62 games. Sbisa won the Carl Trentini Memorial Award as the Hurricanes Rookie of the Year, and led all WHL defensemen in playoff scoring with 15 points (3G,12A) in 19 games as Lethbridge advanced to the 2008 WHL Finals. Sbisa was selected to participate in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game and was a member of Team Switzerland at the 2008 World Junior Championship Tournament.

The Ozleri, Italy native was drafted by the Flyers in the first round (19th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.