DETROIT, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Reigning Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom will stay in "Hockeytown" for at least the next two
seasons.
The Detroit Red Wings on Friday signed Lidstrom to a two-year contract extension through the 2003-04 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Lidstrom is in the final year of a three-year contract worth $21.75 million.
"We are all absolutely pleased to have Nick agree to remain with our club for two more years through 2003-04," Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland said. "He is a great asset to this team and
strengthens our blue line tremendously."
A native of Sweden, the 31-year-old Lidstrom won the Norris Trophy honoring the NHL's top defenseman last season after finishing as a runner-up for the honor each of the previous three years.
The early leader in balloting for the NHL's World All-Star team, the 6-2, 190-pound Lidstrom has three goals and 19 assists with a plus-10 rating in 29 games this season. Detroit owns the best
record in the NHL at 22-5-1-1.
A five-time All-Star, Lidstrom had 15 goals and 71 points, averaging nearly 28 1/2 minutes of ice time, in his Norris Trophy winning season.
The franchise's top-scoring defenseman, Lidstrom has been named to the NHL First All-Star Team for the last four seasons.
In his 11th season with the Red Wings, Lidstrom helped lead the Red Wings to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998.
A third-round pick in 1989, Lidstrom has 139 goals and 450 assists for 589 points in 804 NHL games, all with Detroit. He has 129 games of playoff experience with 27 goals and 64 assists
for a postseason total of 91 points.
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Copyright 2001 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
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