VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canucks center Ryan Kesler signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension on Friday that will keep him in Vancouver through the 2015-16 season.
In his sixth season with the Canucks, the 25-year-old Kesler has already set a new career high with 66 points in 71 games, exceeding the 59 points he recorded last season, when he was a Selke Trophy finalist as the NHL’s top defensive forward.
“Ryan Kesler has excelled as a two-way player and in his role as an alternate captain, general manager Mike Gillis said. “Ryan has showcased his ability to perform under extreme pressure and we are looking forward to continuing to see Ryan develop into one of the League’s premier players.
Kesler, who was drafted 23rd overall by the Canucks in 2003, has 17 points in his last 15 games, including a 13-game point streak that was the fifth longest in the NHL this season. He also scored two goals and was a key player in the United States’ run to a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound center from Livonia, Michigan, has 86 goals, 206 points and 341 penalty minutes in 391 NHL games with the Canucks.
Avalanche signs Carman
DENVER — University of Minnesota forward Mike Carman has signed an entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche and will report to the team’s American Hockey affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.
Carman, a third-round draft pick in 2006, just completed his senior season with the Gophers, tallying 18 points in 39 games. The native of Augusta, Ga., had 29 goals and 37 assists in 135 career games at Minnesota.
Carman represented the United States at the 2007 and ‘08 World Junior Championships.
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