Winnipeg Jets sign Dustin Byfuglien to a five year contract extension

#33 is sporing a big smile in this picture and we now know that he should be after receiving a five year contract extension by the Jets today.

Audio:  Dustin Byfuglien | Coach Paul Maurice | GM Kevin Cheveldayoff

Here is the release:

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

Byfuglien, 30, has recorded 32 points (15G, 17A) so far this season while appearing in all 52 games and sits in a tie for second amongst all NHL defencemen with his 15 goals. Byfuglien leads the Jets so far this season in shots (163), penalty minutes (78) and ice time (24:14 per game). The native of Roseau, MN, was named to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, TN where he recorded a goal and an assist for the Central Division team. Byfuglien has been named to the All-Star Game in each of the last four seasons that the game has taken place (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016).

Byfuglien has been with the Jets’ organization for the past six seasons after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 24, 2010 with Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Akim Aliu for Marty Reasoner, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb and first and second-round selections at the 2010 NHL Draft. Byfuglien has played 649 NHL games tallying 376 points (148G, 228A) and 755 penalty minutes. Byfuglien had a career-high 56 points (20G, 36A) with the Jets during the 2013-14 season and sits seventh on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 267 points (93G, 174A). Byfuglien won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, including recording his first career playoff hat trick during the Western Conference Semifinals and registering a playoff career-high four point night (2G, 2A) in game five of the Stanley Cup Finals.

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