2009 top pick signs contract with Blues

Swedish defenseman Rundblad was 17th overall pick last summer

By LOUIE KORAC

ST. LOUIS -- The Blues continue to place their recent draft picks in the fold.

It's been commonplace past few seasons, and Thursday's signing is par for the course.

The Blues signed 2009 first-round draft pick, defenseman David Rundblad. to an entry-level deal.

Rundblad, 19, has spent the past three seasons with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League and was the 17th overall pick in last summer's NHL Entry Draft.

"By signing David and adding him to the fold, we continue to keep our blueline depth strong," Blues President John Davidson said in a statement. "We have been impressed with the progress he’s made since we drafted him last year and are looking forward to watching his development towards the NHL."

In 2009-10, the Lycksele, Sweden native played in 47 games for Skelleftea posting 13 points (12 assists) to go along with 14 penalty minutes.

In total, the 6-foot-2, 189-pound defenseman has made 98 appearances for the Skelleftea, accumulating 23 points (22 assists) and 24 penalty minutes.

Rundblad also represented Sweden in both the 2009 and 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships, helping the team capture the Silver Medal in 2009 and Bronze in 2010.

At the 2009 Championship, he posted a goal and an assist to go along with a plus-3 rating in six games while in 2010 he increased production to a goal, four assists and a plus-9 mark in six appearances.