BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Bruins have signed 18-year-old center Patrice Bergeron to a three-year contract, assuring he will be on the roster when the team’s regular season begins on Wednesday.

Bergeron, who played last year for Acadie-Bathurst of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, had a goal and two assists for the Bruins in eight preseason games.

General manager Mike O’Connell said Bergeron “has had an excellent camp and he has earned a roster position.”

“He is a very smart player and has shown good instincts both with and without the puck,” O’Connell said. Contract terms were not disclosed.

According to NHL rules, Bergeron would have been returned to his junior league team had he not made the Bruins’ roster. Players under age 20 with junior hockey eligibility may not be assigned to the American Hockey League, meaning the Bruins could not send him to their top minor league team in Providence, R.I.

Bergeron, a native of Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, was Boston’s second pick, 45h overall, in the 2003 NHL draft. He scored 23 goals and assisted 50 more for Acadie-Bathurst last season.

AP-ES-10-06-03 2021EDT