Fedorov, Laich Signed

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Brooks Laich to a three-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Laich, 25, established career highs in goals (21), assists (16) and points (37) in 2007-08 and was one of four Capitals to play in all 82 games. He finished third on the team in goals and seventh in points, with a team-high two shorthanded goals.

A 6’2", 210-pound native of Wawota, Saskatchewan, Laich finished his third full NHL season with 12 goals and 20 points in the final 22 games as the Capitals made their late-season run to the Southeast Division title. He recorded three two-goal games, a four-point game and seven of his eight power-play goals on the season during that stretch.

Laich led the team (among players with at least 20 games played) with a 17.2 shooting percentage and led all Capitals forwards with 56 blocked shots. Laich scored more than half of his goals in the first period and scored the Capitals’ first goal of the game nine times.

Laich tied for fourth on the team with six points (one goal, five assists) in seven playoff games, including points in each of the last five games of the series. That matched the longest point streak in the NHL in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.

A three-year veteran of the Western Hockey League with Seattle and Moose Jaw, Laich was acquired by the Capitals via trade with Ottawa on Feb. 18, 2004. He has played 233 career NHL games, all but one with Washington, recording 36 goals and 41 assists (77 points). In 2006 Laich helped lead the Hershey Bears to the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup championship, recording 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 21 playoff games.