Vancouver Canucks sign centre Brandon Sutter to five-year contract extension

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Brandon Sutter to a five-year contract extension at an average annual value of US$4.375 per season.

The Canucks acquired the six-foot-three, 190-pound centre and a third-round pick in 2016 from Pittsburgh last Tuesday for Nick Bonino, Adam Clendening and a 2016 second-round pick. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015-16 season.

Sutter had 21 goals, 12 assists and 14 penalty minutes in 80 games with Pittsburgh last season.

He also finished with a team-leading 50.6 per cent faceoff efficiency and tied for second in the NHL with four short-handed goals.

In 495 career NHL games, Sutter has scored 98 goals, 87 assists and 94 penalty minutes with Pittsburgh and Carolina. He has also recorded 12 points in 33 playoff games with the Penguins.

Sutter was drafted 11th overall by the Hurricanes in 2007. He was a member of Canada's 2008 world junior championship team.