Thrashers sign forwards Boulton, Lessard, Stevenson and Hoffman

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Thrashers re-signed forward Eric Boulton, an unrestricted free agent, to a multi-year deal on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Boulton played in a career-high 74 games last season. He led the team with 127 penalty minutes and matched career highs with four goals, five assists and nine points.

Boulton has played seven seasons in the NHL with Buffalo and Atlanta. The Halifax native signed with Atlanta as a free agent on Aug. 8, 2005.

The Thrashers also signed free-agent forwards Junior Lessard, Grant Stevenson and Mike Hoffman.

The 28-year-old Lessard had a goal and an assist in 19 games with Tampa Bay last season after he was acquired from Dallas on Jan. 18.

Stevenson played in 47 games with San Jose in the 2005-06 season, recording 22 points (10 goals and 12 assists). He had 39 points for AHL Worcester last season.

Hoffman had eight points in 38 games in an injury-shortened season with AHL Portland.