Carlo signs six-year, $24.6 million contract to stay with Bruins

The 24-year-old defenseman could have been a restricted free agent July 28.

“Feeling over the moon today,” Carlo said. “For my family, this is very huge … I’m very pumped.”

Carlo scored four points (three goals, one assist) in 27 regular-season games, missing time because of a concussion and an upper-body injury. He did not score a point eight Stanley Cup Playoff games but his average ice time of 22:30 per game was second on the Bruins to defenseman Charlie McAvoy (26:39).

He said he has felt healthy for “well over a month” and will resume skating next week.

“I think this year was obviously a struggle through these injuries,” Carlo said. “It’s no fun, but I’m not going to sit here and get discouraged or think that my career is heading down a wrong path because of a couple concussions. I hope this is the last one of my career and hopefully I can play as long as possible, but for how I’ve recovered from these. I don’t feel like there’s any issue there.

“I’ve never felt in any way, shape or form that my career was going to be ending anytime soon.”

The Bruins lost to the New York Islanders in six games in the best-of-7 Stanley Cup Second Round, the second consecutive season they were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round.

Carlo was selected by the Bruins in the second round (No. 37) of the 2015 NHL Draft. He has scored 55 points (15 points, 40 assists) in 324 regular-season games and five points (two goals, three assists) in 45 postseason games. Since 2016-17, Carlo ranks second on the Bruins in total shorthanded time on ice (908:57), fourth in games played (324), fifth in time on ice per game (20:13) and tied for fifth in plus/minus (plus-58).

“The Bruins are very pleased to have extended Brandon on a long-term deal,” general manager Don Sweeney said. “Brandon is a player who has grown into a foundational defenseman with our team while also emerging as an important leader on and off the ice.”

The Bruins face several important offseason decisions. Forwards David Krejci and Taylor Hall, and goalie Tuukka Rask, each can become an unrestricted free agent July 28. Rask will be sidelined until January or February because of surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. He has said he only wants to play for Boston.

Defenseman Kevan Miller retired from the NHL on Wednesday. Forward Trent Frederic signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract June 25.

“Huge mentor of mine,” Carlo said of Miller. “He did such a good job handling me and helping along the way. Wish I could have played many, many more years with him.”