Yzerman signs first player as Tampa Bay GM

On his fourth day on the job, Steve Yzerman, the new Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager, signed his first player. Defenseman Mark Barberio was given a standard three-year entry level contract Friday.

"We always like adding good character people and quality players to the organization," Head Amateur Scout Darryl Plandowski said. "Mark has a good skill level and he's a winner, having played on championship teams. We look forward to adding him to the organization and working to develop Mark as a professional."

Barberio (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) is coming off an impressive junior career with the Moncton Wildcats and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league. He totaled 46 goals and 168 points with a plus-53 rating in 261 career games. Barberio participated in the 2010 QMJHL All-Star Game and was named to the 2006-07 QMJHL All-Rookie Team. He was also selected to represent the QMJHL in the 2009 Canada-Russia Super Series as well as the 2007 Canada-Russia Challenge. 

In 2009-10, Barberio, a Montreal native, scored career highs with 17 goals, 43 assists, and 60 points in 65 games with the Wildcats. In the QMJHL playoffs, he scored 5 goals and 22 points in 21 contests.

Barberio was selected by Tampa Bay in sixth round, No. 152, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.