Rangers sign KHL forward Pavel Buchnevich

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers have signed Russian forward Pavel Buchnevich.

General manager Jeff Gorton announced on Friday that the 21-year-old had signed an entry-level contract.

Buchnevich split this past season between Severstal Cherepovets and SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League, collecting 16 goals and 21 assists in 58 games. He established KHL career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (three), power-play goals (four) and average ice time (16:10).

Among KHL players younger than 24, Buchnevich ranked third in assists, ranked fourth in points and tied for seventh in goals.

Buchnevich had 37 goals and 50 assists in 158 career KHL games over parts of four seasons (2012-13 through 2015-16). He was selected by the Rangers in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2013 NHL draft.