Forward Troy Brouwer has signed a three-year, $11 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals, staying with the team that made great strides last season and is expected to further shine this year.

"I thought we made a lot of good progress last year with our season. Going into the second round and being a team that could really compete," Brouwer said in a conference call. "Plus this year we got - Mike Ribeiro is a good, fine center who just creates a lot more offensive threats on our team and just kind of rounds out our center position much better."

The 27-year old Brouwer has one more year on his existing contract where he is slated to earn $3.25 million. His new contract will keep him in Washington through the 2015-16 season.

"We had kind of had talks all throughout the summer, wanted to see if something could get done before the season started - whether or not there was going to be a delay in the season," Brouwer said. "So I think on both sides we both really wanted to get something finished here."

The Capitals acquired Brouwer from Chicago during the 2011 NHL Draft in exchange for their first-round draft pick that year. He recorded 18 goals and 15 assists with the Capitals in 2011-12.

Brouwer also provided stability during the Capitals' run to the playoffs and in the postseason.

"We have a rather young team, a lot of guys have won at pretty much level they've been at," said Brouwer, who has recorded 136 points (67 goals, 69 assists) and 222 penalty minutes in 320 career NHL games with Washington and Chicago.

"A lot of the guys know how to win but sometimes it's just a matter of taking those emotions and taking that preparation and channeling it into a game, very important games. Hopefully last year I was able to bring some secondary experience as far as games played and playoff games," he added.

Meanwhile, Brouwer is hoping that a labor deal can be reached before the current collective bargaining agreement expires Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

 

Blackhawks sign defenseman Michal Rozsival to one-year deal

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that they have signed defenseman Michal Rozsival to a one-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rozsival recorded a goal and 12 assists with 34 penalty minutes and a plus-8 rating in 54 regular-season games with the Phoenix Coyotes last season.

The 34-year-old with a reputation as a good shot-blocker has made seven postseason appearances and helped the Coyotes reach the Western Conference finals last season.

Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 1996 draft, Rozsival has appeared in 756 career regular-season games and recorded 64 goals and 196 assists.

In his seven playoff appearances, Rozsival has four goals and 12 assists.

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