The
Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed defenseman
Mark Stuart to a multiple-year contract extension, according to General Manager
Rick Dudley.
Stuart, 26, has seen action in four contests with the Thrashers this season after being acquired by team in a trade with Boston on Feb. 18. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, the 6-2, 215-pound defenseman played in 31 games for the Bruins, totaling five points (one goal, four assists) with a plus-8 rating and 23 penalty minutes. In 287 career NHL games with Boston (2005-06 to 2010-11), Stuart has 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) and 294 penalty minutes.
The Rochester, Minnesota, native set career-highs with five goals, 12 assists and 17 points during the 2008-09 campaign. Stuart skated in 214 consecutive games (including playoffs) from the start of the 2007-08 season to Dec. 14, 2009. He has played in 22 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, posting two assists and 21 penalty minutes.
Stuart, who was selected by Boston in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, also appeared in 109 AHL games with the
Providence Bruins, scoring 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists).
Prior to his professional career, Stuart played three seasons at Colorado College, scoring 54 points (12 goals, 42 assists) in 118 games, captaining the team to a Frozen Four berth as a junior in 2004-05. That same season, he was named the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a First Team West All-America selection. Stuart also captained
Team USA to its first ever Gold Medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships, and also to its first ever Gold Medal at the 2002 World Under-18 Championships.
