Robert Bortuzzo will remain in St. Louis.
The St. Louis Blues confirmed Thursday on its website the Thunder Bay native had agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the team.
Bortuzzo's current contract was set to expire at the end of the 2016-17 season. This extension could keep Bortuzzo in St. Louis through the 2018-19 season.
"I wanted to be here and it sounded like they wanted me here, so we got it done," said Bortuzzo in a statement issued by the NHL team.
"The town, the team, the organization, they're all world-class. It's been great. There's a great core here, and I feel like I can be part of it moving forward."
Bortuzzo, who will be getting a slight raise over the $1.05 million annual salary he's receiving under his current deal, has played in 64 career games with the Blues and maintains a plus-five rating. He has a goal and an assist, suiting up for just 11 games with St. Louis this season.
By signing Bortuzzo beyond this season, he's now a candidate to be exposed in next June's expansion draft. Team's must expose at least one defenceman under contract in 2017-18 to the Vegas Golden Knights, who will join the league next fall.
The injured blue-liner has not played since Dec. 3 after suffering a lower-body injury against Winipeg.
