The Avalanche formally announced today that the team has signed forward Cody McLeod to a three-year contract. McLeod, who turns 25 this Friday, scored 15 goals with five assists and 162 penalty minutes in 79 games during his second NHL season in 2008-09. He was one of four NHL players with at least 15 goals and 150 PIM and became only the second player in Avalanche history to reach both marks in a single year (Chris Simon, 1995-96). McLeod led Colorado with 194 hits and shared the club lead in game-winning goals with three. The Binscarth, Manitoba native finished third on the team with 15 goals, all at even strength. He was one of only three NHL players to score at least 15 goals without a power-play or short-handed tally. McLeod finished second on the Avs with 10 fighting majors. ?Cody has been an important member of our team over the last two seasons,? said Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman. ?He plays a physical game and can also contribute offensively. He is entering the prime years of his career and we look forward to having him remain in an Avalanche sweater.? McLeod, who signed with Colorado as a non-drafted free agent on July 6, 2006, made his NHL debut on Dec. 19, 2007 and went on to dress in each of the final 49 regular-season games and all 10 playoff contests in 2007-08. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound left winger tallied nine points (4g/5a) with 120 penalty minutes in his first NHL campaign, making him the only rookie in Avalanche history to surpass 100 PIM.