Islanders sign D Martinek to three-year extension

Oct 5, 2007 - 2:57 PM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Islanders on Friday signed veteran defenseman Radek Martinek to a three-year contract extension.

Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal, which will keep Martinek with the Islanders through the 2010-2011 season.

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 defenseman in the league," Islanders general manager Garth Snow said. "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."

In 253 regular-season games - all with the Islanders, Martinek has 10 goals and 49 assists. Despite missing the final 30 games of last season with a fractured leg, the 6-1, 210-pound defenseman matched a career high with 17 points, including two goals.

"The Islanders were the NHL team that drafted me and Long Island has become a second home," Martinek said. "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."