DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings announced Tuesday the signing of free-agent defenseman and 15-year NHL veteran Brad Park of the Boston Bruins to a multi-year contract.
Park, 35, who has been named five times to the NHL All-Star team, has played the past 7 -seasons with the Bruins, the last year under a termination contract that required no compensation.
In Boston, Bruins General Manager Harry Sinden insisted Park is still under contract.
'Park has signed a contract with the Bruins, as far as we are concerned,' Sinden said. 'It means he's our player. It's more than a verbal agreement. It would be too bad if this thing had to be settled in court.'
Sinden said Park's status with Boston is on a year-to-year basis. 'It's a continuing thing, agreed to by both parties,' he said.
In 966 regular-season games, the 6-foot, 200-pound Park has registered 795 points -- 10th among active NHL players -- on 195 goals and 60 assists.
'The decision to sign Brad coincides with our desire to improve the team as much as possible this season,' said Red Wing General Manager Jim Devellano.
Devellano said Park fills the hold left by the trade of Willie Huber, who was dealt to the New York Rangers in June along with Mark Osborne and Mike Blaisdell in exchange for goalie Ed Mio and right wingers Ron Duguay and Ed Johnstone.
In 76 games with Boston last season, Park had 10 goals and 26 assists. He added three goals and nine assista in 16 playoff contests.
Park was was the Rangers' No. 1 pick in the 1966 entry draft and stayed with the team until 1975 when he was sent to Boston.
