Yale senior Brian O'Neill has signed a one-year NHL contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He will report to the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Manchester, N.H. for practice today, and fly to St. John's (Newfoundland) for his pro debut this weekend.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a source close to the situation said O'Neill received the maximum signing bonus for rookies allowed under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. The contract is a two-way deal and O'Neill will also get the maximum allowable AHL salary, which is guaranteed.

Several teams showed interest, but O'Neill felt the Kings were the best fit. The team offered him a similar deal last summer. O'Neill turned it down and returned to Yale for his senior season, where he led the team in scoring for a third successive season.

The Kings are expected to announce the signing later today.