The Prince George Cougars have signed 1996-born defenceman Sam Ruopp (Zehner, SK) to a standard Western Hockey League contract. Ruopp was selected by the Cougars in the fourth round (76th overall) of the 2011 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Ruopp (6’2”, 170 pounds) spent last season with the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, where he recorded 10 assists in 41 games played.

“You can never have too many quality kids who come from strong families,” said Prince George Cougars Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel Wade Klippenstein. “We believe that Sam Ruopp will be an excellent Prince George Cougar for years to come.”

“Sam Ruopp competes and will be a very good player in the WHL,” said Regina Pat Canadians head coach Norman Johnston. “Sam competes at practice and every shift that he plays and is very coachable and well liked by his coaches and teammates.”

Ruopp joins an already impressive young core of signed defenceman who will all be vying for a spot on the 2012-2013 team.