Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Brent Burns to a four-year contract extension.

“The effort Brent has given to improving himself as a player is evident to the point that he is becoming an impact player in our lineup,” Risebrough said. “This is recognition of that effort and of his potential.”

Burns, 22 (3/9/85), has posted 51 points (15-36=51) in 194 career NHL games over four seasons with Minnesota. He leads all Wild defensemen with three goals and a plus-6 rating this season, and has more goals than any NHL blueliner (seven) since March 11, 2007. The 6-foot-5, 219-pound blueliner led team defensemen with 25 points (7-18=25) and seven goals in 2006-07, ranked second on the team with a plus-16 rating and fourth with 86 hits. The Ajax, Ont., native was selected by the Wild in the first round, No. 20 overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.