Colorado signs Vincent Damphousse

DENVER, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Free agent center and four-time National Hockey League All-Star Vincent Damphousse has signed a year contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

He reportedly will receive $2 million.

The 18-year veteran, who is 36, played for the San Jose Sharks the last 5 1/2 seasons. At Colorado, he will be reunited with Avalanche General Manager Pierre Lacroix.

The Denver Post reported Thursday Damphousse was a Lacroix client when the Avalanche GM was a player-agent.

"He's versatile, he adds depth (and) he's done a great job against us in the playoffs, too," LaCroix told the newspaper. "We all know him, and we think he's a perfect fit for us."

Damphousse has 432 goals and 773 assists for 1,205 points in 1,378 career games. His signing is insurance in case high-scoring forward Peter Forsberg decides to play in his native Sweden.