Post by Rayven on Oct 5, 2007 10:49:46 GMT -5
Veteran defenseman Radek Martinek has been signed to a three-year contract extension that keeps him a New York Islander for at least the next four seasons, through 2010-2011. The 31-year old native of the Czech Republic had been signed only through this season and could have become a free agent.
"Our organization has felt for a while that Radek is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He is a very steady defenseman in both zones and he plays with a lot of grit. It was a priority for us to keep Radek an Islander beyond this season. We're very happy he was as dedicated to staying an Islander as we were to keeping him here."
Tonight marks the beginning of Martinek's sixth season with the Islanders. In 253 regular season NHL games, he has 10 goals and 49 assists for 59 points and a career plus-minus of +21. Despite missing the final 30 games of the 2006-07 season with a fractured leg, the 6-1, 210-pound defenseman matched a career high with 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists) and led the team with a +17.
"The Islanders were the NHL team that drafted me and Long Island has become a second home," Martinek said this morning. "I never even considered the possibility of playing for another team. I'm looking forward to this season and many more to come as an Islander."
Martinek was selected by the Islanders in the eighth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He played a key role on the Czech Republic's gold medal team in the 2001 World Championships.
"That's great news to start the season," said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. "I'm happy for Marty because he's earned this, but I'm just as happy for our team and our fans because we just locked up one of our key veteran defensemen."
"Our organization has felt for a while that Radek is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He is a very steady defenseman in both zones and he plays with a lot of grit. It was a priority for us to keep Radek an Islander beyond this season. We're very happy he was as dedicated to staying an Islander as we were to keeping him here."
Tonight marks the beginning of Martinek's sixth season with the Islanders. In 253 regular season NHL games, he has 10 goals and 49 assists for 59 points and a career plus-minus of +21. Despite missing the final 30 games of the 2006-07 season with a fractured leg, the 6-1, 210-pound defenseman matched a career high with 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists) and led the team with a +17.
"The Islanders were the NHL team that drafted me and Long Island has become a second home," Martinek said this morning. "I never even considered the possibility of playing for another team. I'm looking forward to this season and many more to come as an Islander."
Martinek was selected by the Islanders in the eighth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He played a key role on the Czech Republic's gold medal team in the 2001 World Championships.
"That's great news to start the season," said Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. "I'm happy for Marty because he's earned this, but I'm just as happy for our team and our fans because we just locked up one of our key veteran defensemen."