LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have signed free agent forward Ray Kaunisto to a two-year entry-level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Kaunisto, 23, just completed his senior year at Northern Michigan University, recording 32 points (18-14=32) and 78 PIM in 40 games. He led the Wildcats in penalty minutes, while ranking second in goals (tied for eighth in the CCHA), tied for fourth in points and tied for first with three game-winning goals. Kaunisto helped the Wildcats to a record of 20-13-8 and a berth in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament (NMU was eliminated by St. Cloud State in the West Regional last weekend).

In four seasons with the University of Northern Michigan, the 6-4, 185-pound native of Sault, Ste. Marie, Mich. registered 62 points (36-26=62) and 208 penalty minutes in 161 games.

Before his collegiate tenure, Kaunisto played parts of three seasons in Juniors for Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League and Soo of the North American Hockey League.