Atlanta Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers were satisfied with how Niclas Havelid helped anchor their defense.

The Thrashers agreed to a three-year contract with the defenseman on Wednesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Playing in his first season with Atlanta in 2005-06, the 33-year-old blueliner recorded four goals and a career-high 28 assists while appearing in all 82 games. Among team defenseman, Havelid finished second in assists and third in both goals and points.

With Havelid in the mix, the Thrashers recorded the first winning season in their six-year existence, just missing out on the playoffs with a 41-33-8 record and 90 points.

"Niclas is the ultimate professional who provided a tremendous amount of skill, experience and character throughout his first season with the team," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said. "He is a huge factor in the strength of our defense and in our locker room, and we are very pleased that he will continue to be a pivotal part of our success next season and beyond."

Acquired from Anaheim in a trade for Kurtis Foster in June 2004, Havelid notched 28 goals and 89 assists for 117 points in 392 games with the Mighty Ducks and Thrashers.

A native of Sweden, Havelid was a member of his country's gold-medal winning squad at the Torino Olympic Games in February.