Winnipeg Jets sign University of Maine defenceman Will O'Neill to contract

Maine goaltender Dan Sullivan (30), Stu Higgins (22) and Will O'Neill (27) react as the puck goes in the net for a goal by Boston College's Pat Mullane in the second period of an NCAA college Hockey East final in Boston, Saturday, March 17, 2012. The Winnipeg Jets signed defenceman Will O'Neill to an entry-level contract Tuesday.O'Neill will report to the club's AHL affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, on an amateur tryout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Elise Amendola

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets signed defenceman Will O'Neill to an entry-level contract Tuesday.

O'Neill will report to the club's AHL affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, on an amateur tryout.

The 23-year-old played in 40 games with the University of Maine during the 2011-12 season, recording 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) and 68 penalty minutes.

In four seasons with the Black Bears, O'Neill had 101 points (19 goals, 82 assists) and 263 penalty minutes in 141 games.

The native of Salem, Mass., was taken by the Atlanta Thrashers in the seventh round, 210th overall, in the 2006 NHL draft.