Avalanche Sign Hejduk to One-Year Extension

[Thrillhouse]

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Milan Hejduk to a one-year contract extension through the 2010-11 season.

Hejduk, who is entering his 11th season in the NHL, has spent his entire career with the Colorado Avalanche. Originally selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the fourth round (87th overall) of the 1994 Entry Draft, Hejduk has recorded 312 goals and 345 assists for 657 points in 783 career games. He ranks fourth in franchise history in both games played and goals, and sits fifth in points. Hejduk is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular season overtime goals with nine and his 52 career game-winning tallies rank second in franchise history behind only Joe Sakic (86).

“Milan has been an integral part of this organization over the past 10 seasons,” said Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman. “We are pleased to have him under contract and are counting on his leadership both on and off the ice to help this team move forward into the future.”

Hejduk, 33, led the Avalanche with 27 goals in 2008-09, marking the second straight year and fifth time in his career that he’s paced the club in goals. He also shared the team scoring lead with 59 points and was selected to his third NHL All-Star Game. The Czech Republic native has scored 298 goals since the start of the 1999-2000 season, the fourth highest total in the NHL behind Jarome Iginla (347), Marian Hossa (324) and Jaromir Jagr (301).

“It was important for me and my family to continue my career with the Avalanche organization,” said Hejduk. “I’m excited about the direction of this franchise and look forward to being a part of it.”

Hejduk helped the Avalanche win the 2001 Stanley Cup championship after tallying 23 points (7g/16a) in 23 postseason contests that year. He currently ranks fourth in franchise history in both playoff goals (33) and points (75). The right winger captured the franchise’s first-ever Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer with 50 in 2002-03. He was a Calder Trophy finalist and a member of the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1998-99.

A three-time Olympian, Hejduk won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan and a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy.

[The_Sheriff]

Good good. Happy to have him for a bit longer. Currently one of the best players on the team...

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Originally Posted by The_Sheriff

Good good. Happy to have him for a bit longer. Currently one of the best players on the team...

My thoughts exactly,Im glad they he got an extension I just wish it was a more then 1 year.

Who knows now that Sakic is gone maby Hejduk is thinking about retirement so he just wants to take it one year at a time.

[5min4fighting]

He will retire an AV, this year is going to hurt man. I think we are a little better then people think though, maybe on the bubble.

[Mclaren14]

hopefully man....maybe they will surprise some people

[duda.radek]

Sure, avs fans are probably going to have hard times now. But so do stars fans. I´m missing the Avalanche - Stars games in the play-offs...