The Edmonton Oilers have signed veteran defenceman Steve Staios to a four-year contract extension which runs through the 2010-11 season.
``Steve exemplifies what it means to be an Edmonton Oiler and we couldn't be happier with this long-term extension,'' Oilers GM Kevin Lowe said in a statement. ``He is one of those players who leads by example and will do everything it takes to accomplish the task at hand.''
Staios, 33, would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer. He had a goal and eight assists in 20 games this season before Tuesday night's game against Calgary. The Hamilton native also led the team in penalty minutes and blocked shots and was second in hits.
Staios signed with the Oilers in July 2001.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
