Flyers secure Read with four-year extension
The Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Matt Read to a four-year, $14.5 million contract extension on Friday, the team announced.
The extension begins in the 2014-15 season with an average annual salary of of $3.6 million.
'I'm pretty excited, very happy and pretty relieved," Read said. "It's been an ongoing process, but I'm very happy about it. My first two years have been overwhelming for me. It's crazy that I'm even playing in the NHL, but to get this second contract with this organization is a dream come true. I couldn't be with a better organization and I'm thrilled to be here for a few more years."
In two seasons with the Flyers, the 27-year-old has 35 goals and 71 points in 121 games. Last year, Read had 11 goals and 24 points in 42 games during the lockout-shortened schedule. That came after the former Bemidji State player led all NHL rookies in goals with 24 in 2011-12.
"We're excited and happy we finally got this done," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "This has been going on for the better part of the summer. We're happy and I'm sure Matt's happy. He's one of the young, core players on our team.
"Coming out of college a couple years ago, Matt was a guy who jumped right into our lineup and scored 24 goals. Now he plays regularly on the power play, he kills penalties, he plays four-on-four ... in short he's a valuable part of our hockey team and it's nice to have him under contract for the next five seasons."
Read played for the Canadian World Championship team after the 2012-13 season and had one goal and two assists in eight games.
