ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Center Adam Henrique has signed a $29.1 million, five-year contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks.
The deal announced Monday runs through the 2023-24 season and allows Henrique to avoid free agency next summer.
”That was a goal for me, just to get something done this summer if the team wanted to as well,” he said on a conference call. ”I’m very happy we have it done now and can just focus on training and get ready for camp and the upcoming season.”
Henrique had a combined 24 goals and 26 assists in 81 games with Anaheim and New Jersey last season. He was acquired from the Devils for defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional draft pick in November.
”It was a seamless fit and I don’t think you can overlook that,” Henrique said about the transition. ”That was a big reason why I wanted to stay and why I was so comfortable.”
The 28-year-old center led Anaheim with eight game-winning goals (third in the NHL), tied for second in goals and tied for third in power-play goals with four in 57 games.
Henrique posted the second-longest point streak to start a career in Anaheim at five games.
As a youngster growing up in Canada, Henrique was a fan of Disney’s ”Mighty Ducks” movies that inspired the team’s name.
”They were always one of my favorite teams growing up, which obviously makes this a little more special,” he said.
He had a career-high 30 goals in 2015-16 with the Devils, who selected him 82nd overall in the third round of the 2008 NHL draft.
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