Stars give Larsen two-year deal, sign Fortunus

The Dallas Stars announced Friday they have agreed to terms on new contracts with defensemen Philip Larsen and Maxime Fortunus.

Larsen, 22, receives a two-year contract through 2013-14 worth $2.05 million ($900,000 first year; $1.15 million second year). Fortunus, 28, was signed to a one-year, two-way contract.

Larsen skated in 55 games for the Stars last season, posting three goals and 11 points. His plus-11 rating was tied for the lead among Dallas defensemen. The Esbjerg, Denmark native scored his first career NHL goal against Minnesota on Jan. 21, becoming the first Danish-born blueliner to accomplish that feat since Vancouver's Poul Poupiel in 1971-72.

Larsen has played 63 NHL contests over parts of three seasons. Of players who have skated with the Stars in each of the past three seasons, he is one of four who has earned a cumulative plus-10 rating or better (plus-13).

The 6-foot-0, 183-pound defenseman competed in this year’s IIHF World Championship where he earned two assists in seven games for Denmark. He also posted a team-leading 23 shots in the tournament, and had the highest time-on-ice per game of anyone on Denmark's National Team (25:05).

Fortunus, 28, has spent the past three seasons with the AHL's Texas Stars and appeared in eight NHL games with Dallas during the 2009-10 season. Last season with Texas, Fortunus appeared in 60 games and collected six goals and 20 points.