Canucks sign first-round picks Horvat and Shinkaruk to NHL entry-level contracts

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks signed their top 2013 draft picks Bo Horvat and Hunter Shinkaruk to NHL entry-level contracts Monday.

Horvat, an 18-year-old Rodney, Ont., native, was selected ninth overall after the Canucks traded goaltender Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils for the pick. The Knights captain also led the league in playoff scoring with 16 goals and seven assists.

Horvat, a six-foot, 206-pound centre, has also represented Canada at the 2012 under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and captained Team Ontario at the 2012 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.

Shinkaruk, an 18-year-old Calgary native, captained the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2012-13, recording 49 goals and 37 assists.The 5-10, 181-pound centre led the Tigers in playoff scoring with three goals and three assists.

Internationally, Shinkaruk was a member of the Canadian team that won a bronze medal at the 2012 under-18 world championships. He earned gold with Canada’s entry at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka.

The Canucks also announced that they have signed left-winger Darren Archibald.

The 23-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native split last season between the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings. In Chicago, he produced 12 goals and 10 assists and 47 penalty minutes in 55 games played.

He also recorded six goals, seven assists and 29 penalty minutes in 18 games with Kalamazoo.