Avalanche sign D Tjarnqvist

Jul 4, 2008 - 4:42 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist to a one-year contract Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 31-year-old Tjarnqvist, who played 18 games for Yaroslavl of the Russian Hockey League in 2007-08, has registered 16 goals, 86 points and 122 penalty minutes in 316 career games for the Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers from 2001-07.

"Daniel Tjarnqvist is an experienced defenseman who provides us greater depth on our blue line," Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere said.

A native of Sweden, Tjarnqvist was a fourth-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 1995.

The Avalanche on Thursday also signed left wing Chris Durno. The 27-year-old product of Michigan Tech appeared in 80 games with San Antonio of the American Hockey League last season, recording a career-high 23 goals and 26 assists.