The Vancouver Canucks locked up one of their top players on Friday as Ryan Kesler agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension. The deal will keep him with the club through the 2015-16 season.
The deal will pay Kesler $5 million per season.
"Today is an exciting day for the Canucks organization," said president and general manager Mike Gillis in a media release. "Ryan Kesler has excelled as a two-way player and in his role as an alternate captain. Ryan has showcased his ability to perform under extreme pressure and we are looking forward to continuing to see Ryan develop into one of the League's premier players."
Kesler has 21 goals, 45 assists and a plus-3 rating over his 71 games this season. The 25-year-old has notched 20 or more goals in his last three campaigns.
At the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Kesler helped the United States to the silver medal.
The Canucks selected Kesler in the First Round, 23rd overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
