Hurricanes Sign Derek Ryan To One-Year Deal

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday that they signed forward Derek Ryan to a one-year deal.  It's a two-way contract that will pay him $600,000 at the NHL level and $150,000 in the AHL.

Ryan was named MVP of the Swedish Hockey League last season while leading the league in scoring, (15G 45A) and according to this article in The Hockey News, was being courted by at least three NHL teams, the Leafs, Avalanche, and Blues.

According to this report, the Capitals were also involved.

The Canes were not mentioned by either story as being in the running but Ron Francis got the job done, perhaps with the help of Bill Peters, who coached Ryan for two years in Spokane.

This seems to be an excellent example of how quietly Francis works.  It looks like he does not leak information to the media, Canadian or local.

If Ryan does not make the Canes, he will be a welcome addition to the Checkers.  We will see how things work out in training camp, which will prove to be very interesting.

The club's press release is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 15, 2015

HURRICANES SIGN DEREK RYAN

Forward led the Swedish Hockey League in scoring in 2014-15

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed center Derek Ryan to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Ryan $600,000 at the NHL level, or $150,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2015-16, with a guarantee of $185,000.

"Derek is a skilled, playmaking center," said Francis. "He’s taken a bit of an unconventional path, but has earned a chance to play professionally in North America after having success at every level in Europe. We’re excited that he chose our organization."

Ryan, 28, totaled 15 goals and 45 assists (60 points) in 55 games for Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2014-15. The Spokane, WA, native was named the SHL’s Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player following the season. Prior to playing in Sweden, Ryan (5’10", 170 lbs.) spent three seasons in the Austrian league after completing a collegiate career at the University of Alberta. Ryan also played parts of four seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, the final two of which under current Hurricanes Head Coach Bill Peters.

(more at ch.com.)