Stars sign C Ribeiro to extension

Jan 8, 2008 - 6:51 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- After being a pivotal part of the club's success through the first half of the campaign, the Dallas Stars have rewarded Mike Ribeiro with a new contract.

The Stars on Monday signed the 27-year-old center to a five-year contract extension worth $25 million through the 2012-13 season.

"I am very happy to sign here, I've made a home here," Ribeiro said. "The family and kids love it here. This is a great organization and this is a team that can win the (Stanley) Cup. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to stay here."

"Ribeiro is a very good, committed player and his offense is a big part of our team," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "He and Brenden (Morrow) have earned the right to be cornerstone players for this team's future."

Ribeiro, who tied a franchise record with 11 tallies during the month of December, has a team-leading 21 goals and 44 points in 40 games this season.

"Mike has made a big impact on our hockey club the past two seasons and we are very happy to have him under contract," co-general manager Brett Hull said. "He makes things happen on the ice and will only continue to grow as a player."

Leading Dallas to second place in the Pacific Division, Ribeiro already has set a career high for goals in a season. In his first campaign with the Stars last season, he finished with 18 tallies and a team-high 59 points. During the 2007 playoffs, Ribeiro notched three assists in seven games.

The Stars acquired Ribeiro in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens during an offseason trade in 2006.

A second-round selection (45th overall) in 1998, Ribeiro has collected 89 goals and 256 points in 397 career games with Montreal and Dallas.