Stars Sign D Klingberg To 7-Year Extension

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

FRISCO, Texas (AP/CBSDFW) — The Dallas Stars have signed John Klingberg to a seven-year contract extension after he led NHL rookie defensemen in assists and points this season.

Klingberg had 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 65 games. The goals, assists and points were all single-season Stars records for a rookie defenseman.

General manager Jim Nill says Klingberg is a very special player possessing a creativity and skill level that few in the NHL can match.

"He's someone we are building the backend of our defense on," said Stars GM Jim Nill. "We think he is going to be a major part of our foundation as we build this team moving forward."

The Stars drafted the 22-year-old Swede in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL draft. After starting this season in the AHL, Klingberg became the first defenseman in franchise history to record eight points in his first eight NHL games.

Klingberg admitted to exceeding his own expectations in his rookie season in the NHL.

"Yeah, I had a good start when I got the call up here, and I got a lot of good help from my teammates," Klingberg said. "I didn't expect myself to score that many points, but that's just a bonus. I just wanted to get going here with the team, so [exceeded my expectations] a little bit maybe."

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)