The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed defenseman Erik Johnson to a four-year contract through the 2015-16 season.

Johnson, 24, led all Colorado defensemen in scoring this past season with 26 points (4g/22a) in 73 games.  He also led all team blueliners in assists and shots-on-goal (155) while averaging 20:50 of ice time per game.

“Since Erik’s arrival in Colorado, he has provided stability, size and an offensive presence to our blueline,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.  “At only 24 years of age, we believe that Erik will continue to grow his game and we are thrilled to have him under contract.”

The first overall pick in the 2006 Entry Draft, Johnson was acquired by Colorado from St. Louis on Feb. 18, 2011.  The 6-foot-4, 232-pound defenseman has recorded 127 points (27g/100a) in 298 career NHL games.

A native of Bloomington, Minn., Johnson helped the United States capture a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.  He won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the 2005 and 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championships, and also won a bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.  He played for the U.S. National Team at the 2007 IIHF World Championship.