COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen had called "a big piece of the puzzle" fell into place Monday when the club signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a two-year contract extension. The 24-year-old Russian, recipient of the Vezina Trophy as the NHLs top goalie this past season, could have become a restricted free agent this week. The deal carries an average annual value of $5.625 million. Bobrovsky was paid $1.750 million last season. His representative, Paul Theofanous, was not immediately available. "Im very happy to be a Columbus Blue Jacket," Bobrovsky said. "My wife (Olga) and I really like Columbus and the fans have been very nice to us and supportive of our team. Im looking forward to the season and working with my teammates to help us to our goal of winning a Stanley Cup." Kekalainen called the re-signing of Bobrovsky his top objective but had made little headway until just before the start of Sundays NHL draft. Acquired from Philadelphia for draft picks last summer, Bobrovsky blossomed in Columbus. He had a 21-11-6 record with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and four shutouts. His stellar play fueled the Blue Jackets 19-5-5 finish that brought them within a tiebreaker of making the playoffs. "Re-signing Sergei Bobrovsky was a top priority for our organization," Kekalainen said. "He was a big part of the progress we made last season and we expect him to play an important role in the growth of our team." A native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, he was acquired by the Blue Jackets from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for second- and fourth-round picks in the 2012 draft and a fourth-round pick in yesterdays draft. Alfred Malone Jersey Store . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Geoff Schwartz Jersey Store . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/brandon-jones-jersey-store/ . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Don Wells Jersey Store .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Frank Nesser Jersey Store . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. CHICAGO -- LeBron James dressed like a champion -- a World Series champion.James made good on a bet with close friend Dwyane Wade and showed up wearing a Chicago Cubs uniform before Friday nights game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.James made a friendly wager on the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Cubs with his former Miami teammate Wade, a Chicago product who signed with his hometown team in the summer. The Cubs rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win their first championship since 1908.It was quite a sight seeing James in a Cubs uniform on Friday. He wore a No. 23 Cubs jersey with James stitched acrosss the back, a Cubs hat partially covered by a Cubbie-blue hoodie, pinstripe pants and long baseball socks.dddddddddddd James uniform even had the 2016 World Series champions shoulder patch.Wade was waiting for James when he arrived at the arena and took a picture of his former teammate. The two played four seasons together in Miami, leading the Heat to two championships and four straight NBA Finals appearances.James led the Cavaliers to the title in June, ending Clevelands 52-year championship drought. ' ' '