Red Wings re-sign Jimmy Howard to two-year contract extension

Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland announced that goaltender Jimmy Howard has been signed to a two-year extension that will keep the 26-year-old under contract through the 2012-13 season. As per club policy, no further details pertaining to this deal will be disclosed.

In 47 appearances between the pipes for the Central Division-leading Red Wings this season, Howard has recorded a league-high 30 victories in addition to a 2.76 G.A.A. and .908 SV%. In 2009-10, the 6’0”, 210 lb. netminder was the runner-up for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year after registering a 37-15-10 record during his first full season in the league. The Syracuse , NY native was among the league-leaders in wins (37, T-8th), G.A.A. (2.26, 5th) and SV% (.924, T-4th) during his freshman campaign at the NHL level.

Originally selected by Detroit in the second round (64th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Howard enjoyed a standout collegiate career with the University of Maine, earning numerous awards during his time with the Black Bears (career NCAA stats: 47W-23L, 1.74 G.A.A., .931 SV%). Howard also backstopped Team U.S.A. to their first-ever Gold Medal at the 2002 IIHF U-18 Championships, leading the tournament in both G.A.A. (1.33) and SV% (.954).

Prior to joining the Red Wings full-time last year, Howard appeared in 186 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), amassing a 90-73-11 record during his four seasons with the club to go along with a 2.67 G.A.A. and a SV% of .911.