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The Carolina Hurricanes have signed their franchise player Eric Staal to a multi-year contract extension. Staal signed a seven-year, $57.75 million contract with the Hurricanes, which would begin in 2009 and would extend through 2016.

Receiving an average of $8.25 million per year, the 23-year old from Thunder Bay, Ontario was selected second overall in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Hurricanes. Staal is entering his 5th season with Carolina and was entering his final year of a 3-year contract signed in 2006. He was slated to become a restricted free agent in 2009.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said, “This is a great day for hockey in the Carolinas, to know that our franchise player will be with us for at least another eight seasons. Eric has been a special player for us right from the start. We know that he is just coming into his prime right now, and will continue to grow as a player.”

Last season, Staal scored 38 goals and 44 assists, but was not able to lead his team to the playoffs as the Washington Capitals managed to squeak by for the Southeast Division title in their last game of the regular season.

Staal, a two-time all-star, said, “I wasn’t stressing and wanting to make sure it was done before camp. But it is a nice feeling now to have it out of the way and not get the questions the whole season about an extension and focus on the hockey.”