Simmonds signs new deal with Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Right wing Wayne Simmonds signed a long-term contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL team said Thursday.

The deal is for six years and worth a total of about $24 million, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The new contract goes into effect for the 2013-14 season.

"We are pleased to announce that we have agreed to a multiyear extension with Wayne Simmonds," Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said. "Wayne plays the game with courage and honor and we believe he will continue to be a very good winger for our organization."

Simmonds is entering his fifth season in the NHL. He played three seasons for the Los Angeles Kings before joining Philadelphia before last season.

He scored a career-high 28 goals and had 21 assists last season. He had 11 goals on the power play. In 322 NHL games, Simmonds has scored 67 goals and assisted on 75 others.

"I'm extremely happy to have this deal in place," Simmonds said. "We're going to have a good team in Philly for a long time and I just wanted to be able to be a part of hopefully bringing a championship back to the Philly faithful."