For the past three seasons, Torey Krug wanted to earn the trust and respect of the Bruins coaching staff, management and locker room. His two one-year bridge deals signed in the fall of 2014 (for the 2014-15 season) and in March of 2015 (for 2015-16) were testaments to Krug’s character and development.

On Thursday, Krug was rewarded for that multi-year contract. The former Michigan State Spartan, who signed with the Bruins as an undrafted free agent in March 2012, signed a four-year deal worth $21 million (a cap hit of $5.25 million), which also includes a limited no-trade clause in the final two years of the new agreement.

“I think this is an unbelievable opportunity that I’ve worked for and dreamed of my entire life,” Krug said in his opening remarks during Thursday’s conference call with the Bruins media. “I’m humbled and blessed to be able to wear the Spoked B for four more years.”

“As a young player who is invested in the Boston Bruins organization, he wants to win, he does things the right way every time he comes to the rink. He wants to get better; he’s not satisfied. All the things you want out of a young player to identify with, which is something we also acknowledge, that Torey has really been identified as an emerging part of our core leadership group,” Sweeney said about Krug. “I think he’ll help tremendously to help all of our young players that hope to fall in similar fashion with the success that he’s had up to this point.”

Having the two bridge contracts for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons fueled Krug to improve his game into more of a well-rounded defenseman. With a Bruins locker room in transition last year, Krug took pride in becoming more of a leader in the organization.

The four-year extension gave Krug both satisfaction and a sense of relief. Any speculation of contract talks won’t hover around Krug until the final year of his contract in the 2019-20 season. At 25, however, Krug still has goals he wants to accomplish and by no means will he become complacent.

“Those first couple of contracts, the one-year deals, were something that I was fully aware of — the lack of security, and things like that. But I knew if I did this thing the right way, that I’d put myself in a good position individually to accomplish some security for myself and my family. I did the work and I was lucky enough to come away with this great opportunity that the Bruins presented to me,” Krug said. “I knew going into it, the work that I’d have to do and how to accomplish that, and I now I definitely do feel a sense of relief.

“By no means does that stall my hunger and my drive to become a better player and to help this team even more. I’m not done growing and developing as a player and I’ve not accomplished any of my goals — I’m here to win a Stanley Cup and now that will be my full focus. I don’t have to worry about my contract situation for next year or anything like that and I can put that in the back of my mind and just focus on winning. When we win, everyone has success and it works out for everyone, so I’m looking forward to this upcoming season and continuing to get better.”

Krug, who had successful off-season surgery on his right shoulder, is eying a return for opening night. For a team who still has many questions that need answers, a healthy Krug from the start of the 2015-16 campaign would be a step in the right direction.

“I feel great right now. Obviously with everything going on in my life, I’m very excited for what has happened recently. It’s going to only help move my recovery back that much further,” Krug said. “I’m pushing to be on the ice opening night with my teammates. I think it’s a realistic goal that I’m shooting for. I’m looking forward to it.”