Avs Signs Mitchell to Three-Year Deal
The Colorado Avalanche have signed G Reto Berra and F John Mitchell.The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward John Mitchell to a three-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season.
Mitchell, 29, has appeared in 65 of Colorado’s 66 games this season, tallying 23 points (7g/16a) with a +8 plus/minus rating. Mitchell’s 16 assists are just one short of his career high (17) set with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The Oakville, Ontario native played in his 300th NHL game on Dec. 14 vs. Minnesota and recorded his 100th NHL point on Nov. 30 vs. Minnesota.
“John is a proven NHL player who has been a very good addition to our team the past two seasons,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic. “He can play in different situations and we feel his presence and his versatility will continue to strongly benefit our team moving forward.”
Signed by Colorado as a free agent on July 1, 2012, Mitchell recorded 20 points (10g/10a) in 47 games during his first season with the Avalanche a year ago. He finished second on the team in plus/minus (+5), was third in hits (99) and fourth in goals. Toronto’s fourth selection (fifth round, 158th overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft, Mitchell has 114 points (42g/72a) in 334 career games in the NHL. He has also appeared in 18 playoff contests.
In addition to the Mitchell signing, the Avalanche also announced today that the team has signed goaltender Reto Berra to a three-year contract through the 2016-17 season.
Berra, 27, was acquired from Calgary on March 5 in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2014 NHL Draft. He appeared in 29 games for the Flames this year, posting a 9-17-2 record with a 2.95 goals-against average. The Bulach, Switzerland native represented his country at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, posting a 0-1 record with a 1.02 GAA in one start for the Swiss.
“As I mentioned when we acquired Reto, we strongly believe in his abilities,” said Sakic. “He has size and skill and will help solidify our goaltending position for years to come.”
Selected by St. Louis in the fourth round (106th overall) in the 2006 Entry Draft, Berra was acquired by Calgary on April 1, 2013. The 6-foot-4, 194-pound netminder had spent his entire career in Switzerland prior to this year.
-- by Colorado Avalanche --
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15/03/2014 - 02:00
