NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Rangers avoided an arbitration hearing with Brandon Dubinsky by signing their top scorer to a new contract after his breakout season, the team said on Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media said Dubinsky, who had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday, agreed to a four-year contract worth $16.8 million.

Dubinsky, 25, led the Rangers in scoring by setting career highs in goals (24) and assists (30) last season.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)