Winnipeg Jets makes it official, signs Andrew Ladd as new team captain with a 5-year, $22 million deal
As expected, Winnipeg Jets officially signed Andrew Ladd, former captain of Atlanta Thrashers, as its new captain after the team relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada.
After playing with Atlanta for a single season, the 25-year-old Andrew Ladd signed to a 5-year,$22 million contract on Tuesday with Winnipeg.
The contract signing could not have come at a better time for Ladd, who is getting married later on this month.
"I'm getting married July 17 in Las Vegas", Ladd said. "It's exciting. Now we can kind of let this all go by and start focusing on that and get excited about that big day".
Ever since Atlanta's relocation to Winnipeg had been announced, Ladd was most likely to continue as team captain.
His outstanding 59-point performance, with 29 goals and 30 assists, last season with Thrashers in 81 games was without a doubt, the biggest reason to retain him.
Newly appointed general manager of Winnipeg Jets and former assistant general manager of Chicago Blackhawks, Kevin Cheveldayoff, made the announcement in Winnipeg with a big smile on his face.
“Ladd’s our captain”, Cheveldayoff said. He’s demonstrated it both on and off the ice. It’s something that he doesn’t even have to try to demonstrate. It is what he is”.
Fourth overall draft pick of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by Carolina, Andrew Ladd has become a seasoned player by playing over seven seasons with teams like Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks and Atlanta Thrashers.
He understands that Winnipeg will need a mix of youth and experience to put them on the right track and eventually make a big impact during Jets' first season as an NHL franchise.
“We probably could use a couple of veteran guys to help out in terms of scoring, up front”, Ladd said. “But Chevy is a great hockey person. He knows what this team needs. I’m sure he’ll do his best to make sure we get some of that stuff done”.
Winnipeg still has a wide array of players to choose from the continuing free agents' market, including a number of its own previous Atlanta's restricted free agents.
More news about player signings is expected in the upcoming days from Winnipeg.
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