Casey Borer and Nicolas Blanchard Sign Two-Way Deals

Lost in the shuffle yesterday were two signings which help out the depth of the Hurricanes.

Defenseman Casey Borer signed a one-year, two way deal which will pay him $500,000 at the NHL level and $65,000 while in the AHL.  He will earn a guaranteed minimum of $75,000.  

Borer was one of the top defensemen in the Carolina system before being injured in the infamous Albany bus crash which occurred in February of 2009.  The blueliner suffered a serious neck injury in the accident and after intensive rehab, needed neck surgery near the start of last season.  Still, he recovered enough to play 30 regular season games for the River Rats and appeared in two games for the Canes.

Last season, Borer was awarded the Fred T. Hunt Award for his sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey.  The award is the AHL's version of the NHL's Masterton.

Nicolas Blanchard was also injured in the accident but was able to play in 76 games for the Rats last season.  The forward signed a two-year, two-way deal, the first paying him $500,000 at the NHL level and $65,000 at the AHL.  The second year he will earn $525,000 in the NHL and $65,000 in the AHL.  The first year guarantee is $75,000 and the next year it is $80,000.  

Blanchard, who had 171 penalty minutes last season, earned a total of 375 penalty minutes in 202 career games in Albany.  Look for more of the same in Charlotte next season.

For more information, check out CH.com.