SAN JOSE - Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson has locked up team captain Joe Thornton with a three-year, $21 million contract extension that will keep the 2006 Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner in the Bay Area through the 2013-14 season.

"Joe stepped up and made a tremendous commitment to this franchise, his teammates and the fans in San Jose," Wilson said. "We are very pleased that we now have another key piece of this team's core under contract for the next four seasons."

Along with core players like Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe, Dan Boyle, Douglas Murray, Dany Heatley and others, the Sharks have again ensured their most valued assets are under contract long term. Thornton’s commitment to his teammates as the team’s captain played a large role in the deal as the talented center once again relinquished several years of unrestricted free agency to stay in San Jose. Like several players earlier this summer, Thornton negotiated a contract that allows Wilson to keep many of the team’s other core pieces intact.