The New York Islanders announced today that Matt Carkner has agreed to terms on a three-year contract.

Carkner, 31, scored three points (one goal, two assists) in 29 games last season with the Ottawa Senators. The Winchester, ON, native missed 29 games with a knee injury.

“We’re very happy to add Matt to our defensive core for the next three seasons,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “He brings good size and toughness to our blue line.”

In 162 career NHL games with the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators, Carkner collected 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) with 361 penalty minutes. He’s also added a goal and an assist in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Carkner appeared in a career-high 81 games in 2009-10 and led the Senators in penalty minutes with 190, ranking fifth in the NHL.

Carkner was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round, 58th overall, of the 1998 NHL Draft. He made his professional debut in 2001-02 after completing a four-year junior career with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. The 6’4, 237-pound defenseman has appeared in 524 career American Hockey League games with the Cleveland Barons, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Binghamton Senators, totaling 138 points (32 goals, 106 assists) and 1,543 penalty minutes.