Lightning sign Conacher to two-year deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Norfolk Admirals, signed forward Cory Conacher to a two-year, two-way contract Thursday.

Conacher, one of the top rookies in the AHL this season, has played in 57 games with the Admirals, recording 30 goals, 13 power-play goals, 26 power-play points and 64 points. He leads the Admirals in goals, power-play goals, power-play points and points, and ranks second for assists with 34.

Conacher is also tied for the AHL lead for PPGs, is second for goals and is tied for third in points. He was recently selected as a starter for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic, where he had two goals and three points.

A native of Burlington, Ont., Conacher has played in 64 career AHL games with Norfolk, the Milwaukee Admirals and the Rochester Americans, notching 34 goals and 70 points. He has played in seven career Calder Cup Playoff games.

Conacher, an undrafted free agent, played four years at Canisius College prior to joining the professional ranks. He is the school’s all-time leader in goals with 62, game-winning goals with 12 and points with 147.

He signed a one-year AHL contract with the Admirals on July 5, 2011.