Winnipeg Jets re-sign Josh Morrissey to 8-year, $50M deal

Josh Morrissey is now a $50-million man.

The Winnipeg Jets announced on Thursday theyhave agreed to terms with the 24-year-old defencemanwho enters his fourth full season with the NHL club.

The eight-year contract has an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Drafted 13th overall by the Jets in 2013, Morrissey set career highs last season in assists (25), points (31), and average time on ice (22:24).

"For me, [the team]was just a perfect fit in all areas," Morrissey said Thursday. "I'm excited to be part of the core going forward You talk to the other guys, everyone's really excited about the opportunity to grow and the opportunity to grow with our leadership group and our core of young players."

The Calgary native hasskated in 223 NHL games and recorded 77 points (19G, 58A).

During the 2016-17 season, Morrissey was awarded theJets' community service award for his work in the city withthe True North Youth Foundation and his role as an ambassador for The Dream Factory.

He also won the club's Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy for 2018-19 as the player who best embodies perseverance, dedication, and hard work without reward or recognition.

He said he's glad he won't have contract issues hanging over his head for the next several years.

"I've been through that before, and I wouldn't have wanted to do the deal if I didn't feel really comfortable and feel like, you know, it was it was right for me at the time," he said.

"And that's what I'm most excited about and I'm definitely excited to not have to answer any questions about it," he added, laughing.

The signing of Morrissey is a key one for the Jets, who lost two other defencemen in the offseason Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot as well forward Brandon Tanev.

Another bruising defenceman,Jacob Trouba, was dealt to the New York Rangers.