Nashville Predators sign prospect Michael Latta to entry-level contract

From the Preds:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2009 third-round selection Michael Latta (MIGH-kuhl LA-tuh) to a three-year entry-level contract.

Latta, 18 (5/25/91), was the only player in the Ontario Hockey League this season to rank in the Top 25 in points (21st, 73), goals (24th, 33) and penalty minutes (eighth, 157), putting up the totals in 58 games for the Guelph Storm. The 5-11, 205-pound center also finished fifth in the OHL in game-winning goals (8), and third in the OHL Western Conference Coaches' poll for Best Stickhandler. Selected 72nd overall (third round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, Latta finished the regular season with 46 points (23g-23a) and 77 penalty minutes in his final 29 games, then led the Storm in postseason points (9) and assists (7) in five games.

With Guelph's season complete, Latta has joined the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) for the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Latta joined the Admirals yesterday via a tryout contract, but now he's an actual honest-to-goodness professional hockey player. He may not actually play for Milwaukee during the AHL playoffs, but at the very least he gets to learn how the professionals practice and prepare for each game, and see the game action up close.