Canucks sign Vancouver Giant player Mario Bliznak to NHL contract

Bliznak, who had a goal and assist to help the Vancouver Giants win the Memorial Cup on Sunday, has signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks, the NHL team announced Wednesday.

The 20-year-old centre from Trencin, Slovakia, had eight goals and 14 assists in 47 games with the Giants this season. In 22 playoff games the six-foot, 200-pound Bliznak had six goals and 12 points.

Bliznak also was a member of the Slovakian team at the 2007 world junior hockey championship in Sweden, registering one goal in six games.