Dallas signs right-winger Jere Lehtinen to two-year US$8-million extension

Canadian Press
September 16, 2006
DALLAS (CP) - The Dallas Stars signed right-winger Jere Lehtinen to a two-year, US$8-million contract, the NHL team announced Saturday.

The new deal will keep Lehtinen under contract with Dallas through the 2008-'09 campaign.

"Jere has been a model of professionalism throughout his career," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. "He is one of the best two-way forwards in the game.

"Consistency and honesty are Jere's trademarks and he brings them to the rink every day. We're very excited to sign him to this contract extension."

Lehtinen has led Dallas in goals scored two of the last three seasons and has captured the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward three times, just one of three players to capture that award three or more times (the others are Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau).

Lehtinen, 33, of Espoo, Finland, has scored 20 or more goals six times in his NHL career and twice has been named to the league's all-star game.

Lehtinen was Dallas' fourth round selection (88th overall) in the 1992 NHL entry draft. He has appeared in 648 career NHL games, all with Dallas. He has registered 393 points, including 190 goals. He was a member of the Stars' Stanley Cup-winning team in 1999.