SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season.
Vlasic had two goals and 12 assists while playing in all 82 regular-season games for the Sharks last season, just his second full NHL campaign. He was third on the Sharks with 85 blocked shots while playing more than 21 1/2 minutes per game.
Vlasic, who made the NHL's all-rookie team after the 2006-07 season, will be a key part of the Sharks' revamped defense under new coach Todd McLellan. San Jose acquired veteran defensemen Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich while jettisoning Craig Rivet and Matt Carle after the club lost in the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season.
``Marc-Edouard is one of the top young defenseman in the game, and we are excited to have him in the fold for the next several years,'' Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. ``He has a tremendous future with this franchise, and we look forward to watching his continued development.''
Vlasic, who first made the Sharks' roster as a 19-year-old in 2006, will make $735,000 next season.
