Jets sign defenceman Josh Morrissey to an eight-year, $50 million extension

The Winnipeg Jets have locked up one of their top defenceman to a long-term deal.

The team announced Thursday that they have inked Josh Morrissey to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension that will pay him an average annual value of $6.25 million.

The deal will break down as follows: He will make $8 million in years 1, 2 and 4, $5.2 million in year 3, $6.4 million in year 5, and $4.8 million in each of the final three years,

The 24-year old, who still has one season left on his current two-year, $6.3-million bridge deal, posted six goals, 25 assists, a career-best 31 points and a plus-9 rating in 59 games last season.