Music: {allcanada} FLAMES INK DEFENCEMAN BABCHUK TO TWO-YEAR, $5M DEAL

Monday, July 4, 2011

{allcanada} FLAMES INK DEFENCEMAN BABCHUK TO TWO-YEAR, $5M DEAL

The Calgary Flames have re-signed free agent defenceman Anton Babchuk to a two-year contract worth $5 million.

Flames General Manager Jay Feaster is pleased with the chemestry the veteran rearguard ha brought to the team since being acquired last season.

"Anton Babchuk is a sound positional player on the back line and perhaps one of our most adept defenseman at pinching down the wall to keep the play alive in the offensive zone," said Feaster. "Anton makes a good first pass, his shot is a big weapon for us on the power play, and he contributes to our offense without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. He is a good teammate and a team-first guy. Even more exciting is our belief that Anton's offensive output will continue to grow under Brent's system. Our plan had been to have him return this season, and we are very pleased that we were able to come to an agreement that will keep him in Calgary."

Babchuk was acquired from the Hurricanes in November. After scoring three goals and eight points with Carolina, he tallied eight goals and 19 assists for Calgary in 65 games.

Entering his fifth NHL season, the 27-year-old Babchuk was a first round pick of the Blackhawks (21st overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

In 250 career games, he has 34 goals and 62 assists.