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Philadelphia Flyers coach John Stevens (C) and his team react during the third period during their loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5 of their NHL Eastern Conference Final hockey series in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 18, 2008. Stevens signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday that takes him through to the end of the 2010-11 season. REUTERS/Jason Cohn

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Stevens signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday that takes him through to the end of the 2010-11 season.

Stevens led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference finals in 2007-08, his first full campaign in charge.

The team posted a 42-29-11 record for 95 points to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division, one year after finishing with the league's worst record.

"John is very deserving of this new contract," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement.

"He is a very energetic coach who brings a lot of enthusiasm and passion to the game and we look forward to working together over the next few years."

Stevens, a third round pick by the Flyers in the 1984 draft, was delighted to extend his contract.

"I am very excited," the 42-year-old said. "This is something that we talked about in the early part of the summer. We knew that it was just a matter of time before we got it done.

"I love being a part of this organization and the direction that the team is heading. I am extremely happy to be a part of it moving forward."

Stevens took over from Ken Hitchcock as Flyers head coach in October 2006 after coaching their American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, for six seasons.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken Ferris)