Avalanche sign forward David Jones to 4-year deal

The Colorado Avalanche on Thursday announced a four-year contract for 27-year-old forward David Jones.

Jones scored 20 goals and 17 assists last season. It was a slight dip from 2010-11, in which he managed a career high 27 goals.

"David has been one of our top offensive players over the past two seasons," Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said in a statement. "He is a product of our organization who has developed into a proven goal scorer. We are pleased to have him under contract as he enters the prime of his career."

Jones was eligible to hit the open market on July 1.

He has played all 239 career games with Colorado after they selected him in the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. His journey to the NHL included stops with Coquitlam of the BCHL and Dartmouth in the NCAA, where he was once named top Ivy League player.

The Avalanche did not announce financial details. Jones earned $2.5 million US in 2011-12.

Sherman's work is far from over. Forward Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, Steve Downie and Peter Mueller and defenceman Erik Johnson are restricted free agents, while blue-liner Shane O'Brien and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere are unrestricted.