On Thursday, Executive Vice President and General Manager Ron Francis announced the signing of four Carolina Hurricanes prospects to one-year, two-way contracts. The deals were announced at one time and help to solidify a part of the young core of the Hurricanes system for the 2016-17 season.
Keegan Lowe – Defenseman
Lowe, 23, signed a one-year, two-way contract that pays $750,000 at the NHL level or $80,000 at the AHL level.
[NEWS] #Canes agree to terms with Keegan Lowe on a one-year, two-way contract. Details: https://t.co/gWZmCevsDj pic.twitter.com/cilZRJGU7l
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 14, 2016
Originally drafted by the Hurricanes 73rd overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the 6’1″, 200-pound defenseman has appeared in 188 regular-season games for the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, compiling 7 goals and 37 points. During the 2015-16 season with the Checkers, Lowe set career highs in games played (67), goals (3), assists (11) and points (14).
Lowe made his debut for the Hurricanes during the 2014-15 season, appearing in two games and registering 10 penalty minutes.
Dennis Robertson – Defenseman
Robertson, 25, signed a one-year, two-way contract that pays $650,000 at the NHL level or $75,000 at the AHL level.
[NEWS] #Canes agree to terms with Dennis Robertson on a one-year, two-way contract. Details: https://t.co/777VkNLtsS pic.twitter.com/EQNhWZgnPL
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 14, 2016
Originally drafted by the Maple Leafs 173rd overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the 6’1″, 208-pound defenseman is in his second stint with the Hurricanes after being re-acquired by the club from the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL’s trade deadline on Feb. 29, in exchange for goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
A product of Brown University (ECAC), Robertson has appeared in 116 career AHL regular-season games, tallying 5 goals, 21 assists and 104 penalty minutes.
Brody Sutter – Right Wing
Sutter, 24, signed a one-year, two-way contract that pays $600,000 at the NHL level or $115,000 at the AHL level.
[NEWS] #Canes agree to terms with Brody Sutter on a one-year, two-way contract. Details: https://t.co/VpdpjMtjmt pic.twitter.com/8YRFKxcabe
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 14, 2016
Originally drafted by the Hurricanes 193rd overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the 6’5″, 203-pound right-wing made has played in 12 NHL games with the Hurricanes but is still seeking his first NHL point. In 211 career AHL regular-season games, Sutter has compiled 37 goals and 83 points.
During the 2015-16 regular season with the Checkers, Sutter posted career highs in games played (70) and goals (13).
Brendan Woods – Left Wing
Woods, 24, signed a one-year, two-way contract that pays $650,000 a the NHL level or $80,000 at the AHL level.
[NEWS] #Canes agree to terms with Brendan Woods on a one-year, two-way contract. Details: https://t.co/kaZYm51klz pic.twitter.com/P78u9QfN2L
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 14, 2016
Originally drafted by the Hurricanes 129th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the 6’4″, 210-pound left-wing made his NHL debut with the club during the 2014-15 regular season, appearing in two games. In his NHL career, Woods has appeared in seven games for the Hurricanes while compiling 7 penalty minutes.
The former University of Wisconsin Badger (WCHA) has played in 171 career AHL regular-season games with the Checkers, compiling 27 goals, 58 points and 182 penalty minutes.
Thursday’s announcements add to a busy week for GM Ron Francis. On Tuesday, the team announced that it had signed center Victor Rask to a six-year, $24 million deal.