Winnipeg Jets sign Dustin Byfuglien to 5-year contract

The Winnipeg Jets announced Monday the team has signed Dustin Byfuglien (33) to a five-year contract extension. The defenceman'ssalary is valued about $7.6 million annually.

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"My family and I have loved Winnipeg and we're very happy to stay here and sign this,"Byfuglientold reporters Monday.

"I'mexcited to be a Jet."

Byfuglien, 30,leads the Jets season in shots, penalty minutes and ice time, said an NHL news release.

The Roseau, Minnesota native has been named to the All-Star Game in each of the last four seasons.

He has recorded 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 52 games this season.

"We're excited," saidKevinCheveldayoff, general manager of the Winnipeg Jets.

"He's an important part to this group."

Byfuglien believes in the Jets' overall visiondespite the team's currentposition in the standings, saidCheveldayoff.

"We'll keep battling here, we're a group that's going to continue to go down the pathdrafting and developing young players," he said.

Byfugliena hockey genius, says fan

Bobby Yovic started the Facebook page "Keep Byfuglien or Else", which advocated for keepingByfuglienon the Jets.

"Ithink he's a hockey genius," saidYovic.

The fan added he's not concerned about signingByfugliento a contract that will end when the player is well into his 30s.

"If he slows down he will learn to play the game with his brain instead of his legs," Yovicsaid.

Byfuglien was acquired by theJets franchise when it was based in Atlanta through atrade 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.

Winnipeg Jets play the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis on Tuesday.