WINNIPEG

Jets sign defenceman Byfuglien to five-year extension

The Canadian Press Published Monday, February 8, 2016 3:14PM CST

Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien (33) his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during second period NHL action in Winnipeg on Saturday, January 3, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

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WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenceman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of US$7.6 million.

The 30-year-old has recorded 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 52 games this season.

He leads the Jets 163 shots, 78 penalty minutes and 24 minutes 14 seconds of ice time per game.

The native of Roseau, Minn., represented the Central Division at the 2016 all-star game, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

Byfuglien was acquired when the Jets franchise when it was based in Atlanta via a 2010 off-season trade with Chicago.

The trade came after Byfuglien helped the Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup.

He has 376 points (148 goals, 228 assists) and 775 penalty minutes in 649 career games with the Blackhawks and the Thrashers/Jets.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the eighth round, 245th overall of the 2003 NHL draft, Byfuglien played his junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League.