BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Bruins will pay defenseman Sergei Gonchar $5.5 million next season – a 51 percent raise that was ordered by an arbitrator and accepted by the team on Tuesday.

Gonchar, 30, was sent by Washington to Boston near the March trade deadline. His salary arbitration hearing Sunday was the first of the NHL offseason.

“Sergei is one of the premier offensive defensemen in the game,” Bruins GM Mike O’Connell said. “He moves the puck very well, has great awareness on the ice and he will continue to be a key contributor to our team.”

Gonchar has 148 goals and 277 assists in 669 NHL games. He was a member of Russia’s bronze medalist team at the 2002 Olympics.

The Bruins had the option of walking away from the decision, something the team did when an arbitrator awarded Dmitri Khristich $2.8 million in 1999.

Also Tuesday, the team said left wing Andy Hilbert has signed his one-year qualifying offer.

“Andy remains one of our brightest prospects,” O’Connell said. “He has made steady progress in each of his pro seasons and we are looking at him to take that next step as a full-time NHL player this season.”

Hilbert, 23, has played three seasons with the Bruins and their AHL affiliate in Providence.

AP-ES-08-03-04 1757EDT