The Nashville Predators announced that have signed defenseman Cody Franson to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million.

Franson was a restricted free agent before signing the deal. As a rookie last season, he played in 61 games for Nashville and recorded 21 points. The Predators believe the 6’5”, 213-pound Franson will be an integral part of their defense this season.

The Predators selected Franson in the third round of the 2005 NHL entry draft. He was selected with the 79th overall pick. After being drafted, Franson spent two seasons with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League recording point totals of 55 and 51 during those seasons.

In 2006, the Giants won the President’s Cup as WHL champions. The President’s Cup earned them a berth in the Memorial Cup tournament, where Franson led all defensemen in scoring with five points in five games.

In 2007, Franson was named to the WHL West All-Star team and was nominated for the Bill Hunter Award, which is presented to the top defenseman in the WHL. Franson and the Giants ended the 2007 WHL season by winning the Memorial Cup with a victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Franson turned professional at the start of the 2008 season and played for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. In his two seasons with the Admirals, Franson recorded 88 points in 152 games.

Franson made the jump to the NHL for the 2010 season, debuting on October 17, 2009 in a game with the Washington Capitals. In his first NHL season, he recorded a +/- raking of +15 to go along with his 21 points.

Last week, Franson had this to say about Nashville and the Predators hockey club: “This is obviously where I want to be. I love it here in Nashville and we have a great team here and a good opportunity for myself. I like the situation I would be putting myself in by playing here.”