Avalanche Sign Milan Hejduk for the 2012-2013 Season

The Avalanche have announced that Milan Hejduk has been signed to a one-year contract worth $2 million. Hejduk has spent all of his 13 years in the NHL with the Avs, and will hit the 1,000 game mark 9 games into the 2012-2013 season. If he does, he will be the first player in Avalanche history to do so. Hejduk had a rough season in 2011-2012, so it will be interesting to see if it was a bad year or indication of a decline in performance. With the Avalanche and Hejduk coming to terms so quickly, it's clear the organization has faith that it was an anomaly.

Per the Avalanche website:

"Over the years, Milan has been an instrumental part of our organization’s success," said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. "He has represented this franchise with class and will continue to complement the young nucleus of players we have been building this team around."

Hejduk has tallied 371 goals and 423 assists for 794 points in 991 career games. He ranks fourth in franchise history in goals and points, and sits fifth in assists. Hejduk is the franchise record holder with nine regular season overtime goals, while his 59 career game-winning tallies rank second. He is third in power-play goals with 138. The Usti-nad Labem, Czech Republic native reached the 20-goal mark in 11 consecutive seasons from 1999-00 to 2010-11, tying Sakic’s franchise record.

"My family and I are very excited to continue my career here in Denver," said Hejduk. "I believe in this organization and our young players and look forward to helping the team in any way that I can."