Lightning sign Swede Hedman to three-year deal

MIAMI (Reuters) - Towering Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman signed a standard three-year rookie contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

The second overall pick by Tampa in last month's NHL Draft, Hedman played last season for Modo of the Swedish Elite League.

"We are thrilled to be able to take this next step with Victor today," Lightning executive vice president and general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement.

"He has a bright future and we intend on him being a member of the Lightning for a long time. We are excited to get his signing behind us so he can solely focus on hockey and the continued development of his game."

The six-foot-six, 220-pound defenseman was rated the top European player in last month's draft, according to NHL Central Scouting.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles)