Jets sign free agent centre Mark Scheifele to eight-year contract

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms with restricted free agent centre Mark Scheifele on Friday on an eight-year contract worth $49 million.

Scheifele, 23, set a career-high with 61 points in 2015-16. He also scored a career-best 29 goals to go along with 32 assists in 71 games.

He ended the 2015-16 season on a 10-game point scoring streak and was tops in the NHL with 33 points in 26 games from February 18 until the end of the regular season.

Scheifele helped lead Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF world championship in Russia following the 2015-16 season. He had nine points in nine games.

The Kitchener, Ont., native was the first draft pick taken by the Jets after relocating from Atlanta. Winnipeg selected him seventh overall in 2011.