The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League are proud to announce that defenseman David Shields has signed an entry-level contract with the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues.

Shields is in his fourth season with the Otters. The native of Buffalo, N.Y. has been a steady and durable presence on the Erie blue line, missing just 22 games out of a possible 272 games in four seasons.

Shortly before the end of the season, Shields was voted by Ontario Hockey League coaches as the best defensive defenseman in the Western Conference. A sixth-round pick of the Blues in 2009, Shields has gathered a +63 rating over the last three seasons.

Shields joins defenseman Tyler Hostetter as the two Otters signed to professional contracts. Hostetter signed with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers before the start of the 2009-10 regular season. Phil Varone (San Jose), Greg McKegg (Toronto) and Andrew Yogan (New York Rangers) all have rights owned by NHL teams. Shields will remain with the Otters for the remainder of the postseason run.

The Otters begin their quest for their second OHL title Thursday night against the Spitfires at 7:05 p.m. Fans can listen to all the action on Fox Sports Radio AM 1330 The Fan or online at ottershockey.com (courtesy of the James H. Cross Company).

Individual tickets for the first round of the 2011 OHL Playoffs against the Windsor Spitfires are now on sale, with Game 2 at Tullio Arena Saturday March 26 at 7:00 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to the game will receive a t-shirt for the “Whiteout”, courtesy of Sluggers Sports Bar and Grill, Esser Family Dental, Plyler Overhead Door, J.C. Orengia Landscaping, Burhenn’s Pharmacy, Springhill Suites and JET-TV/Fox 66. Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster, the Civic Center Box Office, online at ottershockey.com or by calling 814-452-4857.