The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Joey Hishon to an entry-level contract.

Hishon has tallied 83 points (36g/47a) in just 48 games this season for the OHL's Owen Sound Attack

Hishon (pronounced HISH-in) was Colorado’s first-round selection (17th overall) in the 2010 Entry Draft.  The 19-year-old center is in his fourth season with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League, where he has tallied 83 points (36g/47a) in just 48 games this year.  Hishon’s 1.73 points-per-game average is tied for first among all OHL skaters.  Despite missing 17 games, the Stratford, Ontario native leads the Attack in assists and ranks second in points.

“I’m thrilled to be signing with the Avalanche,” said Hishon, who will continue to play with the Attack for the remainder of their season.  “Colorado has a young and exciting team and I look forward to being a part of their future.”

Hishon was recently voted the “Best Playmaker” and “Best Stickhandler” in the OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll for the 2010-11 season.

“We are pleased to come to terms with our top draft pick,” said Avalanche General Manager / Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.  “Joey has had a solid junior career and we look forward to him beginning his pro career with our organization.”

Hishon was limited to 36 games with Owen Sound in 2009-10 but still produced 40 points (16g/24a) for a team-leading 1.11 points-per-game average.  In 2008-09, he led Owen Sound in goals (37), assists (44) and points (81) and was voted the “Best Playmaker” and “Best Stickhandler” in the OHL’s Western Conference by the league’s coaches.  Hishon has collected 252 points (109g/143a) in 213 career games during his major junior career.

Hishon represented Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and was the team’s leading scorer with 10 points (5g/5a) in six games. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound center also was named to Team Ontario at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.