The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Reid McNeill to a three-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

The deal begins with the 2012-13 season and runs through the 2014-15 campaign.

McNeill, 20, was drafted by Pittsburgh in the sixth round (170th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He spent the past season playing for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). McNeill appeared in 51 regular-season contests for the Colts, tallying 12 points (3G-9A) and a plus-9 rating. He added a plus-1 rating in 13 playoff games.

Prior to joining Barrie in an offseason trade, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound McNeill played his first two junior seasons with his hometown team, the London Knights. The defense-minded blueliner skated in 115 regular-season games with the Knights, scoring four goals, seven assists and 11 points. McNeill notched one assist and posted an even rating in 18 playoff games.

McNeill, who spent the 2010-11 season in London partnered with fellow Penguins defensive prospect Scott Harrington, has attended Pittsburgh’s annual prospect development camp in July, and rookie tournament in September, each of the past two years. McNeill posted two assists in three games during the 2010 rookie tournament, which was held in his hometown.