Couture was second among all Sharks with 32 goals last season. (Derek Ortiz, Wikimedia Commons)

Couture, 22, made quite an impression on the hockey world this past year in his first full season in the NHL. In 2010-11, he scored 32 goals and added 24 assists (56 points), while only serving 41 penalty minutes in 79 regular season games. In 33 postseason games with the Sharks, Couture has scored 11 goals and garnered 7 assists (14 points). He was a finalist for the 2011 Calder Trophy (given to the league's top rookie) and named to the NHL All-Rookie team.

San Jose is wise to secure Couture with a contract before he would become a restricted free agent next July, as he is a model player both on and off the ice. This summer, Couture held his first charity hockey game in Ontario to support the St. Mary's Lincolns Junior B club and the Lucan Minor Hockey program. Players from all over the NHL came out to participate in the event, including San Jose teammate Jamie McGinn and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings.

"We reached a number that was fair to both sides," Couture said about the extension. "I want to play in San Jose, I want to stay there and I want to win there. I was happy to get the deal done."

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