Rangers goaltender Lundqvist agrees long contract extension

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist agreed a six-year $41.25 million contract extension with the Rangers on Thursday that will keep him in New York through the 2013-14 season.

The 25-year-old Lundqvist, who played for Sweden during their gold medal campaign at the 2006 Turin Olympics, was the Rangers' seventh-round selection, 205th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Lundqvist has appeared in 50 games this season, posting a record of 24-21-5, with a 2.37 goals against average and seven shutouts.

Now in his third season, the twice Vezina Trophy finalist has appeared in 173 career NHL games, posting a record of 91-55-22, along with a 2.32 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and 14 shutouts.

"I have loved it here since Day One, and (Rangers management) knows that," Lundqvist, who could have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season, was quoted as saying on the Rangers' Web site (rangers.nhl.com).

"There was no reason to wait for the summer. I wanted to get this done as quickly as possible."

Lundqvist ranks among the league leaders in several goaltending categories since his rookie season in 2005-06, including wins (sixth), goals against average (second), save percentage (tied fifth), and shutouts (tied sixth).

"Everyone in our room respects what Henrik means to the club," Rangers head coach Tom Renney said. "He's a tremendous competitor and an elite goaltender."

(Writing by Larry Fine; Editing by Ed Osmond)