The Avalanche announced Wednesday that the team has signed forward Brad Malone to an entry-level deal. He will report to Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, for the start of the AHL playoffs. Malone, 21, just completed his senior season at the University of North Dakota (WCHA), where he helped the Fighting Sioux advance to the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four. Malone ranked fifth on the Sioux in scoring with 40 points and added a team-high 108 penalty minutes in 43 games. “Brad just finished a strong four-year college career and we look forward to him beginning his pro career with Lake Erie,” said Avalanche GM / Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.