Red Wings ink top 2006 pick Emmerton

The Detroit Red Wings announced Wednesday the team has signed center Cory Emmerton to a three-year entry-level contract.

In keeping with club policy, specific terms of the deal are not available.

Emmerton, 18, was Detroit's second-round selection (41st overall) in the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft and Detroit's first pick in the draft. He has spent the last three seasons playing for the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs.

In 164 games with Kingston, Emmerton has collected 72 goals and 122 assists. The native of St. Thomas, Ontario established a career-high for goals in 2006-2007, tallying 29 in 40 games.

Last season, Emmerton had 26 goals and 90 points for Kingston after originally being the Frontenacs' fifth-round pick in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection.