Brett Bellemore Signs Two-Year, Two-Way Deal

by Bob Wage on Jul 8, 2011 4:48 PM EDT in Hurricanes Newsstand

Charlotte Checkers, Brett Bellemore. (photo by Jamie Kellner)

The Carolina Hurricanes announced this afternoon that they have re-signed defenseman Brett Bellemore to a two-way, two-year contract which will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $70,000 in the AHL.

The 6'4 defenseman, who was Carolina's 6th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry draft, played 71 games for Charlotte last season and has shown good progress in development.

The team's press release is after the jump.

HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH BRETT BELLEMORE

Defenseman agrees to two-year, two-way contract

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Brett Bellemore on a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Bellemore $525,000 per season at the NHL level, or $70,000 per season at the minor-league level.

"Brett played well in Charlotte last year, particularly following the All-Star Break," said Francis. "We were pleased with his continued development in his second full year as a pro."

Bellemore, 23, played in 71 regular-season games with the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers in 2010-11, scoring two goals and earning eight assists (10 points). His plus-8 plus/minus rating, as well as and his 74 penalty minutes, ranked him second among Checkers defensemen who played in more than half of the team’s games. In 31 games following the AHL’s All-Star break, Bellemore (6’4", 205 lbs.) earned six points (1g, 5a) and posted a plus-13 plus/minus rating. The Windsor, Ont., native has scored three goals and earned 14 assists (17 points) in 156 career regular-season games with Carolina’s AHL affiliates. The Hurricanes drafted Bellemore in the sixth round, 162^nd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Carolina Hurricanes will open their 2011 exhibition schedule on Sept. 19 at Buffalo. For information on 2011-12 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.

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Big guy..

What’s the future for this D-man, Bob?
any chance he could play in Raleigh, someday?

by randycane on Jul 8, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

There is a chance he could see some time here, depending upon injuries and his continued development. Obviously, he has excellent size, but the word is he still needs work with skating and positioning. As the Francis quote states above, he is making good progress.

Editing Manager of Canes Country.com

by Bob Wage on Jul 8, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I too like

his abilities but geez just 70,000 for AHL level ..sounds almost like slave wages to me…but he can and could use that as a “incentive” to bust his chops and get on the regular squad in Raleigh..but i do agree with you Bob…unless he makes a huge impact at training camp he’ll have to sttle for some call ups…and make his case then…

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Jul 8, 2011 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Double a teacher’s salary to play a game doesn’t sound too harsh.

by DanTHEman67 on Jul 8, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

A bit riskier job than teaching though. And about 1/3 the amount of time to earn money in their lifetime.

by hurricane9 on Jul 8, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh – I’d say teaching is the riskier job given budget cuts and kids taking guns to school.

I vote for playing the whole season in Helsinki!

by Cyn4Canes on Jul 9, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

oK Ok gang

I only said that because for the risks even at the AHL level of play is very high…And true in “some” urban and large cities schools teachers do need a complete set of body armour…so i guess in this case it’s a wash then ?? Still i thing Bellemore needs and extra 30 to make it and even 100K and yes If i had the funds I would give it to him…why ?/ because that is how i see this..but hey what do i know ?? I’m just a fan…Hehehe

What did you do during the summer when the playoffs are over ?
Go Canes & Checkers !!

by CaniacSteve on Jul 9, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Nothing prevents a hockey player or most other athletes from having another career after their current one comes to an end (ask the military folks, who are in a similar position with much more risk at much less pay), so the 1/3 time argument holds no currency (pun) with me. Sports salaries (owners and players) are just way too inflated given the true importance of those jobs to our society. I don’t begrudge people making what they can, but there is little sanity to the system as a whole and it is healthy to give that some thought from time to time. I love athletics but I put them in perspective and truthfully I have lost interest in all pro sports except for hockey and a bit of baseball and even Div. I because of the way they collectively conduct themselves. Oh, and people that can’t make it on 70k per are not budgeting properly ;)

by DanTHEman67 on Jul 9, 2011 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Well nothing to get super excited about

I view Bellemore as nothing more then a injury callup in the coming years,he has great size yes but isn’t a great puck mover, stakter, stick handler, etc… he still needs to improve quickly if he ever wants to see the bring lights of the RBC center someday.

Especially with higher big name draft pick defenseman already in the system such as Faulk, Murphy, Jordan, Sanugettui (forgive the spelling), and we still have Borer I believe as well.

Honestly I believe we kept this guy b.c. we lost B. Rodney to the Ducks a couple of days ago which sucks I liked Rodney alot and I hope he sticks on the Ducks NHL roster.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 10, 2011 12:03 AM EDT reply actions