Lightning sign Gourde to 6-year extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year extension carrying a $5.166-million cap hit, the club announced Friday.

Last year marked Gourde's first full season with the Lightning, in which he finished third in NHL rookie scoring with 64 points in 82 games.

"Yanni personifies our team's identity with his speed and relentlessness on the ice and his strong character off of it," Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement. "He is proof of how far hard work and dedication can take you, and we look forward to him continuing his career in Tampa Bay."

Gourde joined the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

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