Mrazek signs 2-year, $8.5 million contract with Blackhawks

Petr Mrazek signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $4.25 million and begins next season.

The 31-year-old goalie, in his second season with the Blackhawks, could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“Yeah, I’m really happy we [got] it done,” Mrazek said Wednesday. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I got last year and what it’s going to bring us moving forward.”

“Petr is a strong goaltender who continues to display the athleticism and calming style of play that has made him so successful in this league,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said . “He’s had an immense impact within our group, and we’re excited to have Petr back.”

Mrazek is 12-17-1 with a 3.01 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout in 32 games (30 starts) this season for Chicago (14-31-2), which is last in the Central Division.

“Obviously the No. 1 thing is to win games and be part of a winning team and having fun in the locker room while winning,” Mrazek said. “It’s something we’re trying to change here, the culture and everything, and it’s been fun for me to play like this, to be playing every night and being healthy, feeling good about yourself.

“Having good games definitely helps but the No. 1 thing for me is to turn things around here as a team and start winning games soon.”

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said Mrazek has been a stabilizing force for a youthful Chicago team this season.

“He’s been great,” Richardson said. “I think last year he had a bit of injury trouble and he corrected that. He had a great finish last year for us and this year he’s been great. Came in in great shape and we’re trying to manage his load, so he doesn’t get overworked, but the schedule’s worked out fine for him and he’s played great.

“I’ve mentioned before, it’s not just him stopping the puck. His communication with the defensemen is huge, especially with a lot of young guys on our defensive core. Other than that, whether he’s sick or feeling a little banged up, he shows up for work every day, never takes a day off. He’s shown true professionalism and that’s good for the younger guys to see.”

Selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round (No. 141) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Mrazek is 162-141-35 with a 2.78 GAA, .907 save percentage and 25 shutouts in 366 games (336 starts) with the Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Blackhawks, and 12-15 with a 2.43 GAA, .911 save percentage and five shutouts in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games (28 starts).

Mrazek is the third signing by Chicago in the past two weeks. Forward Nick Foligno signed a two-year, $9 million contract (average annual value $4.5 million) on Jan. 12, and forward Jason Dickinson signed a two year, $8.5 million contract (average annual value $4.25 million) on Jan. 16. Each of those contracts begin next season.

NHL.com staff…