The following is an unedited news release from the Dallas Stars.
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed defenseman John Klingberg to a seven-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Klingberg, 22, appeared in 65 games this season as a rookie for Dallas posting 40 points (11-29=40). He led all NHL rookie defensemen in assists and points, and was second in goals. Amongst all rookies, he finished fourth in assists, seventh in points and seventh in even-strength points (28).
His record-setting season saw him establish new Dallas Stars records for most goals, assists and points in a single season by a rookie defenseman. His eight points (3-5=8) in his first eight NHL games, made him the first defenseman in franchise history to record eight points in his first eight games. Also, his five-game point streak (3-5=8) from Nov. 16 - 25, marked the first time in Dallas Stars history (since 1993-94) that a rookie defenseman earned points in five consecutive games. Additionally, he was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for January, posting 13 points (5-8=13) in 13 games played.
"John is a very special player, possessing a creativity and skill level that few in this League can match," said Nill. "He fits in perfectly with where our core is at age-wise and his impact on our team was felt immediately. We expect him to build off of his rookie season and continue his development towards becoming an elite all-around defenseman."
He began the season with Texas, Dallas' top development affiliate of the American Hockey League, posting 12 points (4-8=12) in 10 games played.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound native of Gothenburg, Sweden was selected by Dallas in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.
