DETROIT, Aug. 23 -- Speedy center Boyd Devereaux, whose career appeared over after he suffered a severe concussion in April, Wednesday signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Devereaux, 22, was playing for the Edmonton Oilers on April 1 when he was hit by Dallas Drake of the Phoenix Coyotes and suffered a seizure. MRIs showed bruising of the brain and the Oilers did not tender a qualifying offer by July 1, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Last month, Devereaux underwent a battery of neurological tests conducted by Dr. Karen Johnston of the McGill University Health Center in Montreal. Johnston cleared Devereaux to resume playing, a diagnosis that was confirmed recently by members of the Red Wings' medical staff.
"We reviewed the tests performed by Dr. Johnston in Montreal and had Boyd undergo extensive tests by a team of neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists in Detroit," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "Everyone was in agreement that Boyd is healthy and ready to continue his NHL career."
The 6-2, 195-pound Devereaux had eight goals and 19 assists in 75 games last season. He had a plus-6 rating and was a key member of the Oilers' penalty-killing unit.
"He's a young player who adds depth and speed to our hockey club," Holland said. "We also like his size and versatility as he has played both center and left wing. As he matures as a hockey player, he should develop into a solid two-way NHL player."
Selected by the Oilers with the sixth overall pick in the 1996 draft, Devereaux has 15 goals and 31 assists in 175 NHL games.
