Just one day after signing Russian forward Nikita Soshnikov, the Toronto Maple Leafs have inked College free agent forward Casey Bailey to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Saturday evening.

They bring the Penn State forward into the fold after their elimination from the Big 10 playoffs. In his Junior year of college Casey was rumoured to be headed to Buffalo, whose owner Terry Pegula who donated the money to fund an new arena on Penn State campus.

Elliot Friedman reported the Leafs interest an hour before the signing came out.

Bailey started joined Penn State from the Omaha Lancers of the USHL (former home to ex-Leafs prospect Max Everson after he was kicked out of Harvard for a year). The Anchorage, Alaska native played a couple years in the BCHL before going to the USHL.

Bailey has 22 goals, 18 assists and 40 points this season in 37 games. He was a PPG player in his freshman year, but only managed 13 points last season.

After a bit of a sophmore slump Bailey came out in his Jr year and led the Penn Staters in goals and points.

In the Big10 tournament Bailey had no points as Penn State was eliminated by Ohio State in the opening game.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the first year of Bailey's contract will be burned as he is expected to get a few games in before the end of the season.

Here are some highlights for Bailey:

An interview from his freshman year

Maple Leafs Prospects