Avalanche Ink Erik Johnson to Four-Year Extension

[Thrillhouse]

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed defenseman Erik Johnson to a four-year contract through the 2015-16 season.

Johnson, 24, led all Colorado defensemen in scoring this past season with 26 points (4g/22a) in 73 games. He also led all team blueliners in assists and shots-on-goal (155) while averaging 20:50 of ice time per game.

“Since Erik’s arrival in Colorado, he has provided stability, size and an offensive presence to our blueline,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “At only 24 years of age, we believe that Erik will continue to grow his game and we are thrilled to have him under contract.”

The first overall pick in the 2006 Entry Draft, Johnson was acquired by Colorado from St. Louis on Feb. 18, 2011. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound defenseman has recorded 127 points (27g/100a) in 298 career NHL games.

A native of Bloomington, Minn., Johnson helped the United States capture a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. He won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the 2005 and 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championships, and also won a bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship. He played for the U.S. National Team at the 2007 IIHF World Championship.

[acdcrocksno1]

That's a shame was hoping he'd end up in Philly

[chilly666]

no you don't...he's very, very overrated

[The_Sheriff]

Originally Posted by chilly666

no you don't...he's very, very overrated

Correct, but that's still a surprisingly low price for the name alone. Rumors of over 4 million were being thrown around before the signing

[blades29]

Im glad they resigned him. Like chilly said, he is over rated, but I always hope he will prove himself. Maybe it will be this year...

[V12_Bi-Turbo]

Logical and good signing by the AVS. Kid will only get better and he´s big

15 mils over 4 years is a good signing for the AVS. If its Calgary, they would give him 20-25 mils