Hurricanes sign Victor Rask to Entry Level Contract

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2011 1:36 PM EDT in Press Releases

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed their second round pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Victor Rask, 18, is currently leading his team, the Calgary Hitmen, in points (4G, 6A, 10Pts in 8 games) and leading all WHL rookies in points/game.

Rask, who is a native of Sweden, was enigmatic in his comments since the draft as his plans for this current year were evolving. That he has signed now, while playing junior hockey is an excellent sign that both sides are looking forward to his future playing hockey in North Carolina.

The full release is up after the jump include the specifics on compensation, which include a $277,500 signing bonus. Rask will receive $550,000 his first year in the NHL, escalating to $650k and $750k in the following years of the three year deal. He will make $70,000 annually if in the minor leagues.

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Victor Rask on a three-year, entry-level contract. At the NHL level, the deal will pay Rask $550,000 in the first year, $650,000 in the second year and $750,000 in the third year, or he will make $70,000 per year at the minor-league level. He also receives a signing bonus of $277,500.

"Victor is a smart player with a lot of offensive upside to his game," said Francis. "He is leading Calgary in scoring so far this year, and we are excited to watch him continue to develop."

Rask, 18, is in his first season of major junior hockey in North America, and currently leads the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 10 points in eight games (6g, 4a). The Leksand, Sweden, native spent the majority of 2010-11 with Leksand of the Sweden’s second professional division, scoring five goals and earning six assists (11 points) in 37 games. Rask (6’2", 194 lbs.) has represented Sweden in 10 international competitions, including the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 World Junior Championships, helping his country capture the silver medal in 2010 and 2011.

The Hurricanes drafted Rask in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Really excited about Rask

This kid could have even more upside than Dalpe and has a decent shot at earning himself a spot on the team next year.

by pancanbra on Oct 20, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Great news ! Glad to hear our new picks are already doing well this year. Rask with 10 points in 8 games and Murphy has settled back in with the Rangers posting 4 points in two games.

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Oct 20, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

This organization is setting up quite nicely for the future. It would seem that Faulk and Murphy have great potential to solidly make the big club next year. If Rask can keep the learning curve anywhere close to the steep angle he has it climbing right now, it may be hard to keep him of the NHL roster next fall as well. Hope our young lads in Charlotte are monitoring his progress as well. The bar is raising.

by Hockeydog on Oct 20, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

What is also setting up well is the possibility of trading players that play the same position as these prospects for assets that would strengthen other areas of the team. I’d hate to get ahead of myself, but I see a deep playoff run in the near future.

by jbcanesfan26 on Oct 20, 2011 3:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Great point. If we are in a Playoff position come March we are in an amazing position to significantly strengthen this team with the assets we have built and the Cap space we have. I feel this is one of JR’s strong points as well. A pending UFA (or short term) 1st line winger + veteran top-pairing D would put this team in Cup contention, we just need to get to the trade deadline in a Playoff position.

by JussiJuice on Oct 20, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh...

Those kinds of moves would come at a HELL of a cost at the deadline, and we’d have lost prospects to only get a few months of production.

Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Oct 22, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

On the other hand… It is moves like these that won us a Cup.

by JussiJuice on Oct 22, 2011 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Too bad we can't develop any prospects though.

And you know, when they come up ready to contribute right away, it has nothing to do with us. Just luck of the draw.

Personal attacks are the weapon of the ignorant.

Panthers '011: This is what we've been waiting for...we get to overpay the core of a 2-14 team!

by MichaelProcton on Oct 22, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice signing bonus. The 2 other rookies tied with him are 16.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 20, 2011 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

In points per game (1.25) there’s only the Czech Martin Gernat – a defenseman for the Oil Kings who is also 18. (5g, 10a, 15 pts in 12 games). Gernat was drafted in the 5th round by Edmonton.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

What?
Gernat, funny you should mention, I had a conversation about him last night with a Oil King/Oiler STH who’s pretty excited about him. He’s Slovak.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 20, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yikes! Showing my age. I’m old school – when I took Geography in the 70s Czech and Slovak were the same thing. I’m still trying to remember that Ukrainians are not the same as Russians (as in Soviets).

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries, lots of Ukranians in Western Canada, lot’s of last names that end Ski & Chuk – like Boychuk.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 20, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

One of my good friends here in Chapel Hill was raised near Edmonton. Her family came to Alberta as Ukrainian Mennonites who left (were forced out) when the Communists took over 90 years ago maybe? She has some amazing family stories to tell about her grandparents experience. She is also a Canucks fan.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 20, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

yep, lots of those in Alberta – the geography is very similar which made the transition easier. Southern BC’s got doukhobors (Shawn Horcoff), they’re kind of similar. It’s all about the food – perogies, cabbage rolls, borsch, kovbasa (kielbasa), babka, etc. Good people.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 21, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

According to an episode of Corner Gas Canada has the largest populations of Ukrainians outside of the Ukraine.

When my opinions and reality don't coincide I re-evaluate my opinions, not reality.

by C-Leaguer on Oct 20, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Excited about Rask. I was pushing for Saad at the Draft (who also showed very well for Chicago this year before being sent back), but Victor has certainly not disappointing in the least.

by JussiJuice on Oct 20, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

i didnt realize he was that big

cant wait for him to fill out and get to raleigh.

by brass bonanza on Oct 20, 2011 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

Rask opened the scoring for Calgary again last night. Had one goal (7g, 4 a, in 9 games now). Calgary has won 3 in a row. They were the worst team in the WHL last season, so this is a big deal there,

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Oct 21, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

I like what he's doing

Maybe it answer’s the question I had for the org—Why Jr.s Why not Charlotte for Rask? they could have done either. Maybe, after Rask’s own acknowledgement about being in over his head last year and moving back down a league, the org wanted him to be a dominant force again—work on his scoring and re-gain good confidence.

I sure hope they move him to the AHL at the end of the Hitmen’s season—which means I also hope Charlotte is in the playoffs again.

by Squeaky83 on Oct 21, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions