The Edmonton Oilers have secured a major piece of their defence corps, signing Steve Staios to a four-year contract extension, worth $10.8-million.

Staios, 33, ranks second on the Oilers in ice time per game at 21:44 per game and is off to a strong start this year with nine points and a plus-4 rating in 20 games.

"Steve exemplifies what it means to be an Edmonton Oiler and we couldn't be happier with this long-term extension," said Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe. "He is one of those players who leads by example and will do everything it takes to accomplish the task at hand."

A solid defensive performer, who leads the Oilers with 55 blocked shots this season, Staios has recorded a plus-54 rating in his four-plus seasons in Edmonton.

Staios signed with the Oilers in July, 2001 as an unrestricted free agent and would have been a free agent at season's end if not for this extension.



The contract will pay Staios $2.9-million in each of the next two seasons, followed by $2.8-million in 2009-2010 and $2.2-million in 2010-2011.