The Colorado Avalanche have announced they've signed defenseman Mason Geertsen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Geertsen, 19, is coming off a breakout season in juniors for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, where he notched 38 points (13g/25a) in 69 games. The towering 6'4" defenseman played in all situations for a Giants team that struggled all season, ultimately failing to make the playoffs.

While his team may have struggled, Geertsen certainly did not as his breakthrough this year signified a meteoric rise in his development from 4th round draft pick (93rd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft to a top five prospect in the Avalanche farm system. Geertsen will report immediately to the Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, where he will finish this season.