Bruins sign defenceman Matt Hunwick to contract extension

New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) tries to control the puck on Boston Bruins' Matt Hunwick during the first period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Boston Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Winslow Townson

BOSTON - The Boston Bruins have signed defenceman Matt Hunwick to a multiyear contract extension.

Hunwick scored six goals with 21 assists as a rookie last season. The 27 points placed him third among Bruins defencemen.

He played in one post-season game before having his spleen removed and missing the rest of the playoffs.

Hunwick, 24, was a seventh-round draft pick in 2004 and played four years of college hockey at Michigan.