St. Louis Blues sign fourth overall pick, defenceman Alex Pietrangelo

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Blues signed defenceman Alex Pietrangelo, the fourth overall pick in the June draft, on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Pietrangelo will get a chance to make the team when training camp begins Sept. 19.

"We are excited to have Alex signed as he will be a key component to our youth movement for years to come," team president John Davidson said. "This signing continues our commitment to the long-term future of exciting young talent that we have.

"We expect Alex to be an integral part of our organization for many years."

Pietrangelo, from King City, Ont., ranked seventh among OHL defencemen with 53 points last season for the Niagara IceDogs. He participated in the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic and the 2008 CHL Top Prospects game.

"I am extremely excited to know that I am a member of the St. Louis organization," Pietrangelo said. "I'm looking forward to getting to St. Louis to begin training camp and to start the season."