Dandenault Re-ups With Wings

The Detroit Red Wings resigned defenseman Mathieu Dandenault on Thursday, coming to terms with the restricted free agent for a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dandenault won his third Stanley Cup with Detroit this spring, although he played only three total games in the 1997 and 1998 championships.

Detroit selected Dandenault in the second round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. After starting his career as a forward, he has been shifted back and forth from wing to the blueline before finally settling in on defense last season.

“Mathieu played a valuable role in our Stanley Cup success this past season,” general manager Ken Holland said. “He has shown steady improvement throughout his career and we’re happy to have him on our team as we defend the Cup in 2002-03.”

With the signing of Dandenault, the Red Wings have four remaining restricted free agents left to resign. Igor Larionov, Jiri Slegr and Steve Duchesne are all unrestricted free agents who played with Detroit last season.

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The NHL announced their schedule on Wednesday. The Red Wings will open the season on a West Coast swing before returning home to raise their Stanley Cup banner against the Montreal Canadiens.