Chicago Blackhawks head coach Denis Savard has signed an extension that will keep him behind the bench through the 2008-09 season.

''I'm delighted and excited to be a part of what we all feel will be an exciting team this season,'' said Denis Savard. ''I believe we have a good combination of youth and experience to make this a very exciting team to watch. I can't wait for training camp to start.''

''We were very satisfied with the job Denis did last season and we feel he has earned this opportunity,'' said general manager Dale Tallon. ''Denis has been a part of the Blackhawks organization for a long time. We know that he will put his heart and soul into coaching this team just as he did as a player.''

Savard was named the 36th head coach in Blackhawk team history on November 27th of last season. He finished the season with a record of 24-30-7 in the 61 games he coached. He posted victories in his first three games, 2-1 over Dallas, 5-2 over St. Louis and 4-3 over Nashville.

In winning his first three games as head coach, Savard became only the second coach in Blackhawks history to accomplish that feat. Sid Abel was the only other Blackhawks head coach to win his first three games back in the 1952-53 season. No coach in the 80-year club history has ever won his first four games.