Hull signs contract extension

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 28 (UPI) -- Detroit Red Wings right wing Brett Hull, who last month became the sixth 700-goal scorer in NHL history, Thursday signed a one-year, $5 million contract extension.

Hull, who turns 39 in August, would have received an automatic $4.5 million extension if he scored 35 goals this season. He has 33 with six games remaining.

Speaking between periods of Thursday night's game against the San Jose Sharks, Hull cited owner Mike Ilitch and General Manager Ken Holland as one of the reasons he wanted to return to Detroit.

"You're not going to the rink and going, `Boy, I wonder what type of team we're going to have or who's going to be there or not,'" Hull said. "You know they're going to bring quality people in, and I think the fans of the Detroit Red Wings are very fortunate to have them."

Hull also credited young linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg for maintaining his enthusiasm for the game.

"To be able to play with those two kids, it's so much fun," he said. "They give me a lot of energy, they give me a lot of enthusiasm and they make it fun to come to the rink. It makes a world of difference when you're 38 years old."

On Feb. 10, Hull scored against San Jose to join Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne, Phil Esposito and Mike Gartner as the only players in NHL with 700 goals.

One of the league's most outspoken players, Hull won his first Stanley Cup championship in 1999 with the Dallas Stars. He signed with the Red Wings as a free agent and added another title last season.