adam thilander

The North Bay Battalion have signed Swedish defenceman Adam Thilander.

He was selected 36th overall in the CHL Import Draft in late June.

Thilander, who turns 18 next month, has agreed to terms on a standard player’s agreement that includes an education package and will join the North Bay Battalion for the 2016-17 season.

In a release, the team says the right-shot rearguard played last season with a variety of teams, including 38 games with the Skelleftea AIK 20-year-olds in which he scored three goals and added 12 assists for 15 points.

Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, said he took note of Thilander in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup tournament in the Czech Republic last August. Butler coached Canada to the gold medal, winning the championship game against Sweden.

“He’s a very good player,” Butler said of Thilander, who stands six feet and weighs 192 pounds.

“I coached against him last summer. I thought he was outstanding in the under-18 Ivan Hlinka and I am pleased that he has agreed to play for the Battalion in the upcoming season.”