NHL-Stars give Derian Hatcher four-year extension

NHL-Stars give Derian Hatcher four-year extension

DALLAS (Reuters) - The Dallas Stars agreed on a four-year contract extension for defenseman Derian Hatcher Friday, locking up their captain through the 2002-03 season.

Hatcher, who was entering the final year of his contract, has played all seven of his NHL seasons with the Stars.

The 26-year-old defenseman, who will make $18.6 million over the next five seasons, recorded six goals and a career-high 25 assists with 132 penalty minutes in 70 games last season as the Stars claimed the President's Trophy with a league-best 49 wins and 109 points.

"We had an opportunity to have one of the top defensemen in the NHL under contract for the next five seasons and we decided to take advantage of that opportunity," said Stars general manager Bob Gainey. "We look forward to having Derian lead not only our defense, but our hockey club as captain, for the next five seasons."

The rugged Hatcher led the team in ice time last season, averaging 24.9 minutes per game.

He has amassed 46 goals, 116 assists and 940 penalty minutes in 448 regular-season contests.

Hatcher and older brother Kevin, a defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins, played on the U.S. Olympic team in Nagano.

The Stars open their 1998-99 campaign Saturday at home against Buffalo.