MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore became the highest-paid player in franchise history Thursday, signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract.

        Theodore won both the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and the Vezina as the top goalie last season when he led the Canadiens to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

        “It was really important for myself and for the team that I didn't miss the start of training camp,” he said. “I was always confident that a deal would get done before the start of the season.”

        Theodore, who will turn 26 next week, will earn $5 million this season, $5.5 million in 2003-04, and $6 million in 2004-05. The deal also contains numerous performance bonuses.

        The contract moves Theodore past defenseman Patrice Brisebois, scheduled to earn $4 million this season, as the team's highest-paid player, and it tops the team record of $4.5 million set by former forward Mark Recchi in 1998-99.

        Theodore made $1.65 million last season.

        “I have a job to do — stop the puck,” he said. “It's important to know the money is there, but the main thing is that I love playing hockey. It's still a game. I go to practice every day with the same feeling I had when I was making $35 a week in junior hockey.”

        Theodore led the NHL last season with a .931 save percentage and had a 2.11 goals-against average. He also had career highs in games (67), victories (30) and shutouts (7) and was selected to the North American team for the All-Star game.

        “I'm just happy he'll be in camp,” coach Michel Therrien said. “It's a great relief.”

        Among his bonus clauses, Theodore would receive $500,000 for winning a major trophy such as the Hart or Vezina, which would automatically add $500,000 to his base salary for each of the remaining years. He also has bonuses for each playoff series the team is in, as long as he plays in the series, for 31 or more wins in a season and for lesser awards.

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