Minnesota Wild sign defenceman Clayton Stoner to 2-year extension

Minnesota Wild's Clayton Stoner (4) fights with Chicago Blackhawks' Brandon Bollig (52) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, April 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild have signed defenceman Clayton Stoner to a two-year, $2.1 million contract extension.

The Wild announced the move on Thursday. The 27-year-old Stoner is one member of a rebuilding defence corps that the Wild hopes to improve in front of goaltender Niklas Backstrom next season.

Stoner had one goal and four assists in 51 games for the Wild last season. He led the team in plus-minus rating during an injury-plagued season and impressed coaches with his physical play on the blue line.

He was a third-round pick of the Wild in 2004 and first started to show promise in the 2010-11 when he played in 57 games and led the team in plus-minus rating with a plus-5.