Oilers ink forward Dickinson to five-year contract

The Edmonton Oilers have secured forward Jason Dickinson with a five-year contract, the NHL club announced Sunday. The deal carries an average annual value of US$4 million, locking in the player for the upcoming seasons.

Dickinson, 30, was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks during the previous season's trade deadline and was slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Last season, he appeared in 17 regular-season games for the Oilers, contributing one goal and three assists. Prior to joining Edmonton, he played 47 games for Chicago, recording six goals and seven assists.

In the postseason, Dickinson dressed for four games with the Oilers, netting two goals and adding an assist. The six-foot-two, 200-pound forward from Georgetown, Ontario, was originally a first-round pick (29th overall) in the 2013 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars. He has accumulated 172 points (75 goals, 92 assists) over 566 career games, also having played for the Vancouver Canucks.