WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms on a $42-million, seven-year contract extension with forward Nikolaj Ehlers on Wednesday.

The extension begins a year from now and carries an average annual value of $6 million, the Jets said in a release.

“This team, this organization, this city … from Day 1 I was happy here,” Ehlers said before the Jets opened their season against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. “It’s amazing playing in front of all these fans. Winnipeg as a city is amazing, they love their hockey, so I could not see any reason to not want to stay here tong-term.”

Ehlers, 21, had 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games for the Jets last season.The six-foot 172-pound native of Aalborg, Denmark had 38 points (15-23) in his rookie season.

Ehlers, the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is a key part of the Jets’ young core with Calder Trophy runner-up Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele.

“As Nik’s linemate and good buddy, it’s awesome to see a nice guy like that get rewarded,” Laine said. “”Nik’s going to be a leader for this team for many years.”

“He can play both wings, he can play with different centres, he’s made a huge jump from the end of last year,” added Jets head coach Paul Maurice.

Winnipeg missed the playoffs last season after finishing fifth in the Central Division with 87 points.