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By all accounts, the Edmonton Oilers wanted to sign 2007 first-round pick Riley Nash, but that meant the 21-year-old center would have to leave Cornell University. Frustrated at their inability to sign him, the Oilers traded Nash to Carolina for the 46th pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Less than a month after he was acquired and just a week removed from attending Carolina's prospect conditioning camp, Nash has decided to leave college behind, signing his three-year entry level deal and turning pro. According to the Hurricanes, Nash will be given the opportunity to compete for a roster spot this fall with Carolina.
The deal pays Nash $550,000 if he makes the NHL this year, followed by $600,000 and $700,000 the final two seasons of the contract. He also received a $262,500 signing bonus. He will earn $65,000 at the AHL level all three seasons.
The release from the team is after the jump.
CANES SIGN RILEY NASH TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT
Center averaged a point per game during college career at Cornell
RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed center Riley Nash to a three-year, entry-level contract. At the NHL level, the deal will pay Nash $550,000 in 2010-11, $600,000 in 2011-12, and $700,000 in 2012-13. He will be paid $65,000 on the AHL level in all three seasons, and receives a signing bonus of $262,500.
"Riley has excellent playmaking ability from the center position, and was a consistent point-producer at Cornell," said Karmanos. "He'll have an opportunity during training camp to earn a spot on our NHL roster."
Nash, 21, completed his third season at Cornell University in 2009-10, scoring 12 goals and earning 23 assists (35 points) in 30 games. The Consort, Alb., native led Cornell in assists, and ranked tied for second on the team in scoring. In three seasons with the Big Red, Nash (6’1", 191 lbs.) has scored 37 goals and earned 65 assists (102 points) in 102 collegiate games. Originally selected by Edmonton in the first round, 21st overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Carolina acquired Nash on June 26, in exchange for Ottawa’s second-round pick, 46th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.