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Nashville Predators

Predators Sign Third Member Of Their 2023 Draft Class To An ELC

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10 months ago

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Photo of Isak Walther, left, and Austin Roest by John Russell/Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators prospect pool just officially added a little more punch.

The team announced it had signed 2023 sixth-round pick Austin Roest to three-year, entry-level contract on Friday, the first day ELCs are allowed to be signed for the 2024-25 season.

He’s the third member of the predators 2023 draft class to sign his ELC, joining 24th overall pick Tanner Molendyk and 46th overall pick Kalan Lind, who both signed their contracts before the future stars game over the summer.

Through 54 games with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, Roest has scored 31 goals and 59 points with a plus-15 rating and 39 penalty minutes. He’s tied for the team lead in goals and he ranks fourth on the team in points.

“[Roest is] a hard-working, two-way forward who can play center or wing,” Predators chief amateur scout Tom Nolan said during the draft. “He can play in all situations, including the power play and penalty kill, and gets in on the forecheck. He’s not the biggest guy, but we feel he’s going to be a late bloomer and is just coming into his game. It’s hard not to notice him when he’s out on the ice.”

The son of former NHLer and current Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Stacy Roest, Austin Roest is the captain of the Silvertips after serving as an alternate captain the season prior.

In his third year with Everett in 2022, Roest saw a jump of 19 goals and 46 points in his offensive production, en route to being named the team’s most improved player.

“He’s a self-made type of guy,” Predators director of scouting and assistant GM Jeff Kealty said back in June. “His dad has been in the game and knows what it’s all about. I think you can see that with the progress that he made, he’s very diligent about it. Competes really hard and has those elements that makes you believe a small player like him can make it.”

Follow Michael Gallagher on X/Twitter @MGsports_

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