The one-way deal will kick in following the 2021-22 season and run through the 2023-24 season, carrying an average annual value of $800,000.
"Chad exemplifies what it means to be a teammate," said Hextall. "His work ethic and positive attitude never waver and we are happy he will be a part of our team for the next couple of years."
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Ruhwedel has appeared in a career-high 47 games this season, recording one goal, five assists, six points and a plus-3 in 15:25 minutes per game. The 31-year-old has also established career bests in hits (91), blocked shots (43) and takeaways (12) while his six points are tied for the second highest total of his career. He has been a staple on Pittsburgh's number-two ranked penalty killing unit, where he's third among team defensemen averaging 1:38 of shorthanded time-on-ice per game.
A 2017 Stanley Cup Champion, Ruhwedel has appeared in 18 career postseason contests, including a career-best 12 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. His NHL playoff debut came in Game 6 of the 2017 Second Round against Washington, and he was in the lineup when Pittsburgh earned a Game 7 road victory against the Capitals at the Capital One Arena.
The San Diego, California native broke into the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres organization as an undrafted free agent following a three-year collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, where he served as an alternate captain in his final season. Ruhwedel has appeared in a combined 234 career NHL regular-season games between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, netting 33 points (8G-25A).
