CSN Bay Area

The Sharks have signed free agent forward Nikita Jevpalovs to an entry-level contract, general manager Doug Wilson announced Monday.

Jevpalovs, 20, has recorded 71 points (38-33=71) and 24 penalty minutes in 45 games with Blainville-Boisbriand of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The Armada's alternate captain currently ranks 2nd in the league in goals and 4th in points in his third QMJHL season. His nine game-winning goals lead the league, while he ranks 6th in power play goals (13).  

"Nikita is a big-bodied forward who has a good combination of size and scoring ability," said Wilson. "He has represented his country numerous times and impressed against some of the world's top young talent and we're excited to add a young forward with his skill set to our organization."

The six-foot-one, 210-pound native of Riga, Latvia, has tallied 164 points (84-80=164) and 92 penalty minutes in 166 career QMJHL games. He has represented his native country of Latvia in numerous international tournaments, including: 2014 Division I World Jr. Championship (silver medal), two U-20 World Jr. Championships (2013, 2012) and the 2012 U-18 World Jr. Championship.