BROOKLYN – The New York Islanders have agreed to terms on a seven-year deal with forward Andrew Ladd.
Ladd, 30, scored 46 points (25 goals, 21 assists) in 78 games last season with the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks. He served as captain during each of his five seasons with Winnipeg. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has scored at least 23 goals in each of the last five full NHL seasons.
“Andrew is a highly skilled, versatile, heart-and-soul type of player and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Islanders organization,” General Manager Garth Snow said. “He’s a leader and proven winner who will help our team continue to build towards a Stanley Cup championship.”
A native of Maple Ridge, BC, Ladd registered a career-high 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 81 regular-season games with the Jets in 2014-15. In 769 career NHL games spanning 11 seasons with Winnipeg/Atlanta, Chicago and the Carolina Hurricanes, Ladd has 466 points (210 goals, 256 assists).
“I’m excited for the opportunity to play with a team that has such great potential,” Ladd said. “The Islanders have high-end, young talent and state-of-the art facilities on Long Island and in Brooklyn, which made this the best choice for me. After visiting the area and meeting with coaches and management, it became clear to me and my family that this franchise was the perfect fit for the next seven years.”
Ladd won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with Carolina and in 2010 with Chicago. He’s scored 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 64 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. Ladd was nominated for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2014-15; the same award Islanders Captain John Tavares was nominated for this past season.
Carolina selected Ladd in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft. He played two seasons of junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
On the international stage, Ladd represented Canada at the World Championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He won gold at the 2005 World Junior Championships.
