Cristoval “Boo” Nieves, New York’s second-round pick at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, has signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the club, per TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Nieves, 22, has spent the last four years at the University of Michigan, emerging as a durable, big-bodied center (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) that excelled in the faceoff circle.
With his collegiate career ending this weekend -- the Wolverines were topped by North Dakota in attempting to qualify for the Frozen Four -- Nieves will, like many other collegiate skaters signing deals recently, jump immediately to the AHL.
Per McKenzie, Nieves will sign an amateur tryout contract with New York’s AHL affiliate in Hartford, and try and help the Wolf Pack sneak its way into the Calder Cup playoffs.