John Ferguson, vice-president and general manager of the
Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Thursday that the club has signed defenceman
Carlo Colaiacovo to a three-year contract extension.
"Carlo made real strides as an NHL defenceman this past season and we look forward to having him as an integral part of our defence for the next three years," said Ferguson.
Colaiacovo, 24, played in 48 games for the Maple Leafs in 2006-07 registering eight goals and nine assists for 17 points, along with 22 penalty minutes and a +5 plus/minus rating. Among NHL rookie defencemen this past season, Colaiacovo ranked second in goals and sixth in points.
Colaiacovo was the Maple Leafs nominee for the 2007 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded for ‘perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey’ as voted by the local hockey writers. The Toronto native was originally the Maple Leafs first choice, selected 17th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.