DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed defenseman Nikita Zadorov to a two-year contract through the 2018-19 season.

Zadorov, 22, appeared in 56 games for the Avalanche during the 2016-17 season and led the team with 153 hits despite missing the final 25 contests due to an ankle injury. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound defenseman finished the campaign with 10 points (0g/10a) and played in his 100th NHL game on Nov. 6 at St. Louis.

“Zadorov is a big, young, physical defenseman who was starting to emerge as one of our top D before his injury last season,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President / General Manager Joe Sakic. “He’s an important part of our blue line and we expect him to log big minutes this year. We are excited to have him under contract.”

Selected by Buffalo in the first round (16th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Zadorov was acquired by Colorado on June 26, 2015. He has skated in 145 career NHL games with the Sabres and Avalanche, notching 28 points (4g/24a) and 140 penalty minutes.

reports are $2.15M aav