Columbus re-signed goaltender Pascal Leclaire to a three-year, $11.4 million contract extension that will keep the Repentigny, Quebec native with the Blue Jackets through the 2010-11 season.
''We're very happy to have signed Pascal to a new contract that will keep him with the Blue Jackets for the next three seasons,'' general manager Scott Howson said. ''He is an important part of our team and we think he will continue to improve and play a significant role in helping us reach our goals.''
Leclaire is coming off his best season. compiling a 24-17-6 record with a 2.25 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and nine shutouts in 54 games. He ranked second in the NHL in shutouts, seventh in goals-against average and 11th in save percentage, while his record was the best in Blue Jackets history.
Following the 2007-08 season, Leclaire helped Canada win the silver medal at the 2008 World Championships, posting a 4-0-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout in four games.
The 25-year-old Leclaire was the Blue Jackets' first pick, eighth overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
