The New York Islanders locked up centre Richard Park to a two-year contract extension on Sunday.

The deal allows Park to remain with the team through the 2009-10 season.

"To say I'm happy would be an understatement," said Park.

"Since the first day of training camp last year, I was determined to make the most of the chance [GM] Garth Snow and [coach] Ted Nolan gave me. I love this franchise. My family has really made a home on Long Island. This is incredible news for us. I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to stay with the Islanders for a long time."

Park scored 10 goals and a career-high 16 assists last season, his first with the Islanders after attending training camp on a tryout.

For his career, the journeyman forward has scored 60 goals and 73 assists in 452 NHL regular season games.

Park, 31, has also played for Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Vancouver during an 11-year career. He was originally drafted by the Penguins in the second round of the 1994 draft.

"Richard exemplifies the type of character players we want to be New York Islanders," said Snow. "He's a team-first guy who plays with his heart on his sleeve and battles every shift."