The Atlanta Thrashers signed All-Star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a multiple-year contract extension that is said to be worth $26 million over the next five years.

Byfuglien, 6ft-5 and 260-pounds, is one of four African-Americans playing on the Atlanta team. Buff leads the Thrashers in scoring with 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points this season. Six of those goals are game-winners and that mark is just one shy of the NHL mark of seven by a defenseman in a single season.

The Minneapolis, Minn., native was named to the NHL All-Star team this season and has played in 318 career NHL games with stats that include 72 goals and 80 assists, most of those earned with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2005-10.

Buff had a solid postseason with the Blackhawks last season, finishing with 16 points after turning on the red light 11 times and adding five assists in 22 games. Chicago ended up winning the Stanley Cup and that’s what inspired GM Rick Dudley to sign the defenseman.

GM Rick Dudley made a statement for the Thrashers.com website following the news.

“Dustin has emerged into an elite player this season and been invaluable as a leader both on and off the ice,” said Dudley. “It was a priority to sign him and we’re looking forward to witnessing his All-Star caliber play for many years to come.”

Buff was acquired by the Thrashers last summer in a blockbuster deal with Chicago and was originally selected by the Blackhawks in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He is shown in a picture above, shortly after that trade, hoisting the Stanley Cup while wearing a Thrashers jersey.

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Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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