Avs re-sign Foote to one-year deal

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed captain Adam Foote to a one-year contract for the 2010-11 season.

Foote, a defenseman who turns 39 on July 10, will be playing in his 19th NHL season and 17th with the Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques franchise. Foote has played in 1,107 NHL regular-season games, scoring 66 goals and 234 assists for 300 points, along with 1,501 penalty minutes. Foote has also appeared in 170 career playoff games and was a member of Colorado's 1996 and 2001 Stanley Cup championship teams.

"Adam's veteran leadership has been and will continue to be a big part of our success," Avalanche General Manager and Executive Vice President Greg Sherman said in a statement. "He provided stability last season and set an example for our young players right from the start of training camp. We are pleased to have our captain back for another year."

Selected by the Nordiques in the second round (No. 22) of the 1989 Entry Draft, Foote has appeared in more regular-season (920) and playoff games (170) than any other defenseman in franchise history. He is second to Joe Sakic in both categories among all players in franchise history. Foote is the second-highest scoring defenseman in team history with 251 points (56 goals and 195 assists), and his 195 assists are a club record among defensemen.

Foote, who was named team captain on Sept. 11, 2009, succeeding Sakic and becoming only the second captain in Avalanche history and just the ninth in the 30-year history of the franchise. He had 9 assists and was plus-8 in 67 games this season as the Avs unexpectedly made the playoffs, then added one assist in Colorado's six-game loss to San Jose in the opening round. 

"This organization is definitely heading in the right direction and I am excited to be a part of it," Foote said. "Having a young group like we did last year come together and compete at a high level was very special. We're looking to carry that momentum into next season."

Foote is a three-time member of the Canadian Olympic Team and was a member of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.