Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1), of Russia, stands by the bench during a timeout in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, in Dallas. The Avs won 3-2.TONY GUTIERREZ/The Associated Press
The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a five-year contract extension.
Terms of the deal were not released but published reports claim it is worth $29.5-million.
"Undoubtedly, Semyon has been an impact player for us this season," said Avalanche Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic. "At only 25 years old, he is entering the prime years of his career and he wants to be part of this franchise moving forward."
Varlamov is 26-9-5 this season with a 2.43 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in 42 starts. His 26 wins equal his career high and leaves him tied for third among NHL netminders this season.
Varlamov won his first five starts this year and became the first goaltender in franchise history to allow one goal or less in each of his first four starts of a season. He was a first-round pick by Washington before being acquired by Colorado on July 1, 2011.
The 25-year-old, who will anchor the Russian Olympic hockey team next month in Sochi, was arrested and charged with misdemeanour assault against his girlfriend back on October 30. Less than one month after the complaint was made against him, prosecutors in Denver announced they were dropping all charges, saying new information led them to believe they would not be able to secure a conviction.