Barrie Colts v London Knights

The Devils signed forward Joseph Blandisi (10) of the Barrie Colts )OHL). (Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed Wednesday that the team has signed Barrie (OHL) center Joseph Blandisi to a 3-year, entry-level contract.

It is a 2-way deal.

Blandisi, 20, was re-assigned to Barrie and will spend the rest of this season with his junior club rather than play in Albany (AHL).

"We could have but we never would," Lamoriello said of letting the forward play in the AHL. "He's staying in junior. We signed him and re-assigned him to Barrie."

A former draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche (6th round, 162nd overall in 2012), he was not signed by the Avs and became an unrestricted free agent.

In 39 games for the Colts this season, the 6-0, 192-pound Blandisi has 69 points (30 goals, 39 assists) with 68 penalty minutes.

Lamoriello called Blandisi a "two-way center iceman, a scorer."

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.