Stars ink D Zubov to extension

Jul 2, 2007 - 1:00 AM FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- Instead of bringing an outsider on board, the Dallas Stars locked up one of their own.

Amid the flurry of free-agent signings Sunday, the Stars inked defenseman Sergei Zubov to a one-year, $5.35 million contract extension that keeps the Russian in Dallas through the 2008-09 season.

A fifth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 1990, Zubov appeared in 78 games with Dallas last season, recording 12 goals and 42 assists. Having spent 10 campaigns with the Stars, the 36-year-old ranks first on the franchise list among defensemen in goals (107), assists (403) and points (510).

"This is the place that my family and I love, and I want to finish my career here," Zubov said. "I am very pleased with this extension and look forward to a successful season for the Dallas Stars in 2007-08."

A native of Moscow, Zubov has collected 148 goals and 584 assists in 1,012 career games with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Stars. He won the Stanley Cup with New York in 1994 and Dallas in 1999 and helped the Unified Team to the gold medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

"Sergei is an elite NHL player, and we are very pleased he is under contract with us over the next two seasons," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said. "He is a valuable piece to our hockey club and has been consistently one of the best in the NHL at his position."

Zubov joined Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming last season as the only European defensemen to record 700 points.