Flyers give Betts two-year extension

The Philadelphia Flyers  have signed center Blair Betts to a two-year contract extension, that will take him through the 2011-12 NHL season.

“Blair has been a valuable addition to our team this year,” said GM Paul Holmgren. “He has a strong work ethic and plays an important role on our team. We are pleased to have him under contract for the future.”

Betts, 29, has six goals and four assists for 10 points and 12 penalty minutes in 39 games thus far in his first season with the Flyers. He has missed 19 games due to injury.

“I’m really happy with the new contract,” said Betts. “It was exactly what I was looking for. I was glad that the Flyers were willing to give me a couple years and show some commitment to me.”

Prior to the start of the 2009-10 season, Betts was invited to Flyers training camp on a pro try-out basis and signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia on Oct. 1, 2009. Last season, he recorded six goals and four assists for 10 points and 16 penalty minutes in 81 games with the New York Rangers.

Over parts of eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames (2001-02 to 2003-04), Rangers (2005-06 to 2008-09) and Flyers (2009-10), Betts has compiled 58 points (34G,24A) and 108 penalty minutes in 378 career regular season games. He has also recorded a goal and an assist in 28 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Betts was originally drafted by Calgary in the second round (33rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.