Ducks Sign Gibson to Eight-Year Contract Extension

The Ducks have signed goaltender John Gibson to an eight-year contract extension through the 2026-27 NHL season.
"I believe in John Gibson, as does everyone in the organization," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray. "This is obviously a major commitment by the club, but one we feel strongly about. John is equally committed to being a Duck. He is only now entering the prime of his career, and we are all confident his best is yet to come."

Gibson, 25 (7/14/93), owns the highest career save percentage (SV%) among goalies to appear in a minimum 150 career NHL games since 1955-56 (when shots on goal became an official NHL stat). Gibson's .923 SV% tops Ken Dryden (.922), Dominik Hasek (.922) and Tuukka Rask (.922) on the exclusive list. Gibson has appeared in 178 career NHL games, posting a 93-55-20 record with a franchise-best 2.29 goals-against average (GAA) and 16 shutouts.
"I'm excited to be a part of this organization for the long term," said Gibson. "Staying with the Ducks was always my preference, and I couldn't be happier. Living in the Orange County community with the great support of our fans, I can't think of a better place to play. It's great to be a part of the future of this team moving forward and hopefully bring a Stanley Cup back to Anaheim."
Selected by Anaheim in the second round (39th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Gibson set career highs in wins (31), SV% (.926), saves (1,733) and appearances (60) last season. The 6-3, 223-pound goaltender surpassed the individual single-season franchise record for SV% (Ryan Miller also topped the previous record with a .928 SV%). From the All-Star break through the end of the regular season, Gibson led league netminders in GAA (1.95; min. 20 games) and SV% (.937; min. 20 games) to go along with a 14-4-2 record.
Signed to a three-year contract extension with Anaheim through the 2018-19 NHL season on Sept. 21, 2015, Gibson went on to combine with Frederik Andersen to win the first William M. Jennings Trophy in franchise history (192 GA) in 2015-16. Gibson recorded his first career 20-win season (21-13-4) that season and was the second youngest U.S.-born goaltender to play in the All-Star Game since Buffalo's Tom Barrasso in 1985.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Gibson has represented Team USA at the 2013 World Championship (bronze), 2013 World Junior Championship (gold), 2012 World Junior Championship and 2011 U-18 World Championship (gold). He also played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. During the 2013 World Juniors, Gibson became the first United States goaltender and second American overall to be named MVP after Zach Parise in 2004, and the first goaltender overall since Steve Mason (Canada) in 2008.
Gibson held a conference call shortly after the announcement was made.
On what factors led to him signing an eight-year extension
I made it clear to Bob [Murray] and I told everybody. It's been the same from Day 1 that I've always loved the organization and playing in Anaheim. It's where I want to be for the future. It's where I want to play. Wanting an eight-year deal, they realized I wanted to be there. The commitment and everything. Luckily enough, it was mutual. I can't think of a better place to play or to be. That's why it was a no-brainer for me.
On signing his contract extension on the day of his wedding
It was definitely exciting. It was a lot to take in. We were talking a lot before. And with my agent in town for the wedding, it was something we were trying to get done. I was fortunate it was able to get done on the same day. We had a big celebration. [My wife and I] are very happy and excited to be in Anaheim for the next nine years.
On what it meant for his teammates to extend their well wishes following the extension
It's awesome. It just shows what a good group of guys we have, and how close everybody is on the team. Whenever somebody signs, everybody in our group always texts in the group or individually. Everybody is just so happy for each other. It's definitely exciting to see. It really shows how close we are.
On when he felt the organization viewed him as the bonafide No. 1 goaltender
Obviously, Freddie [Andersen] and I were there for a couple years together. Everybody knew it was [he] or I to go. It was nothing against either of us. We both wanted the chance to start. When they traded Freddie, that was kind of when you think it's my time to take over as the guy because they traded the other guy away. You feel the pressure to step up and prove to the team they made the right decision.
On his offseason training
I want to make sure I get stronger this summer. Last year it seemed like it was one injury that was lingering on a bit. Never fully got better. I definitely made sure I focused on that injury to take care of it this summer so I can come back with no restrictions or limitations. Get that under control, which I did. Definitely excited about the upcoming season. I wanted to get more conditioning shape and focus on the minor bumps and bruises I had during the season last year and try to prevent them. It's definitely been a good summer as far as the off-ice part.