Shane O'Brien signs three-year contract with Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche kept defenseman Shane O'Brien from reaching the unrestricted free agent market by signing the veteran to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday.

The team did not release the financial terms, but according to Renaud Levoie of RDS the deal is worth a total of $6 million, which comes out to an annual salary cap hit of $2 million per season. O'Brien made $1.1 million during the 2011-12 season with the Avalanche on a one-year deal he signed with the team prior to the season.

“Having Shane under contract further solidifies our blueline,” said Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman. “He brings energy to our lineup and we're pleased to have signed him to a multi-year deal.”

He appeared in 76 games with Colorado last season scoring three goals to go with 17 assists while playing nearly 19 minutes a night and seeing regular time on the penalty kill. He was typically on Colorado's second defensive pairing and spent most of his time playing alongside either Kyle Quincey (before Quincey was traded to Detroit) or Erik Johnson.

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