Avalanche re-sign Adam Foote and John-Michael Liles

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed defensemen Adam Foote and John-Michael Liles, the NHL club said on Monday.

Foote, 36, has been given a two-year contract through the 2009-10 season.

"Adam was a big part of our stretch run last season," Avalanche General Manager Francois Giguere said in a statement on the team's Web site (www.avalanche.nhl.com).

"He has been an important leader for this franchise for many years and we're counting on him to play the same role over the next two seasons."

Foote, a 16-year NHL veteran, began last season with Columbus before being acquired by the Avalanche at the trade deadline. He appeared in 12 regular-season games, with the Avalanche going 9-2-1.

Liles, 27, led Colorado defensemen in scoring last season with 32 points in 81 games. He was signed on a four-year deal.

(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by John Mehaffey)