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2012-07-10 10:55:00
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning have rewarded Teddy Purcell for his breakout season, signing the right-wing to a three-year contract extension worth US$13.5 million.
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman announced the signing Tuesday on the team's website. The deal pays Purcell $4.5 million annually through the 2015-16 season.
Purcell set career highs in goals (26), assists (41), power-play goals (eight) and game-winning goals (three) last season, and found himself playing on the Lightning's top line for much of the season.
The six-foot-two, 201-pound native of St. John's, N.L., led the Lightning with a plus-9 rating.
He had a Lightning season-high and career-best 11-game point streak from Feb. 21 through March 8, amassing seven goals and 11 assists during the stretch.
He also represented Canada at the IIHF World Championships, registering a goal and an assist in eight games.
Originally undrafted out of the University of Maine, Purcell was signed by Los Angeles as a free agent April 27, 2007. The Kings dealt Purcell to Tampa Bay on March 3, 2010 for centre Jeff Halpern and a 2010 third-round draft pick.
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"Last year we came in as maybe an underdog, quietly. Got off to the right start just because teams weren't really ready for us. But this time around that's not the case. They realize we are a good team and they're ready to go against us, right off the get-go."
- Los Angeles' Colin Fraser. The Kings have lost two in a row and are now tied 2-2 in their series against the San Jose Sharks.