The Lightning have signed vice president and GM Steve Yzerman to a four-year contract extension, chairman and governor Jeff Vinik announced today. Yzerman, who has one more year remaining on his initial contract, is completing his fourth season as the organization’s lead hockey operations executive.

“Since the day Steve agreed to serve as our vice president and general manager, he has worked tirelessly to transform our hockey department and establish the groundwork for sustained success”, said Vinik in making the announcement. “We are very pleased with Steve’s job performance thus far, and I am fully confident Steve remains the right person to continue to lead us.

“Organizationally, we remain committed to playing at the highest levels each season - regularly competing for the Stanley Cup - and I am very pleased that Steve has elected to be our leader for the next several years.”

Yzerman was introduced as the Lightning’s vice president and GM on May 25, 2010, making him the sixth GM in franchise history.  In his four seasons managing the Lightning’s hockey operations, Yzerman has completely transformed the team, establishing it as one of the league’s model franchises for drafting and developing players.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue the process we started four years ago and would like to thank Jeff Vinik for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Yzerman said. “I'm very excited about what lies ahead for our organization and truly enjoy working with a fantastic group of people in Tampa Bay."