DALLAS, May 11 (UPI) -- Goalie Kari Lehtonen and the Dallas Stars have agreed on a three-year, $10.65 million contract extension, the team said Tuesday.
Lehtonen, 26, was the second overall pick in the 2002 NHL draft, taken by the Atlanta Thrashers. The Stars obtained him from Atlanta in February, but he played in just 12 games for Dallas after undergoing back surgery.
"We were excited to acquire Kari Lehtonen in February because of his size, skill and potential to once again be a top-tier goaltender in this league," Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "His play during the last month of the season reaffirmed our belief that he can be our starter for next year and seasons to come."
Lehtonen posted a 6-4-0 record last season and sports a 100-87-17 career mark in 216 games. The Finnish netminder has racked up 14 career shutouts and has a 2.87 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.
