(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Montreal Canadiens have signed centre David Desharnais onto a four-year, $14-million contract extension.

"David Desharnais is a talented young player and his contribution is essential to the success of our team," said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin in a statement Friday. "David has shown perseverance and determination, which enabled him to reach the NHL and succeed. He has earned this contract extension and the Canadiens organization is pleased to have secured his services for many years to come."

The 26-year-old Desharnais has eight goals and eight assists in 27 games for the Canadiens this season.

The 5'7, 177-pound forward - who is in the last year of his current two-year contract - is in his third full season with the Canadiens and scored 32 goals and 99 points in 157 regular season games.

The native of Laurier-Station, Quebec first signed with the Canadiens as a free agent on November 5, 2008.