The most physical defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes last season is back with the organization as it was reported this evening that Brett Bellemore signed a one-year, two-way deal. The contract gives the Hurricanes ultimate flexibility and with seven defensemen already signed, Bellemore will have to prove himself once again this training camp to stay in Raleigh.
It seemed to some that the blueliner had earned a one-way deal last season as he worked his way up the Carolina depth chart, but apparently management around the league did not see it that way.
The team's presser follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 25, 2014
‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH BRETT BELLEMORE
Defenseman played 64 games with Carolina in 2013-14
RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Brett Bellemore on a one-year, two way contract. The deal will pay Bellemore $600,000 on the NHL level, or $175,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level, in 2014-15.
Bellemore, 26, notched two goals and earned six assists (8 points) in 64 games with the Hurricanes in 2013-14, his first full NHL season. The Windsor, Ont., native ranked second on the team and second among NHL rookie defensemen with 169 hits, and his 45 penalty minutes ranked tied for second among Carolina skaters. Bellemore (6’4", 225 lbs.) has played in 72 career NHL games with the Hurricanes, notching two goals and earning eight assists (10 points) since making his NHL debut on March 21, 2013. Carolina drafted Bellemore in the sixth round, 162nd overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft.
For information about 2014-15 Hurricanes ticket packages, please call 1-866-NHL-CANES (1-866-645-2263) or visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com/
tickets.