Carolina Hurricanes sign Andrew Poturalski to Entry-Level Contract

The Carolina Hurricanes announced that they have signed University of New Hampshire forward Andrew Poturalski to a two-year entry level contract. The sophomore forward is ranked second in the NCAA in scoring with 52 points (22g, 30a) in 37 games played this season.

A native of Williamsville, NY, Poturalski was reported to be on the radar of a number of teams, and previously attended prospect camps with both the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins. He and Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce were teammates at UNH last season.

Poturalski's entry level contract with the Hurricanes will begin in the 2016-17 season. He will report to the Charlotte Checkers on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.

The official press release from the team follows.

Hurricanes Agree to Terms with Poturalski
Free agent forward ranks second in NCAA in scoring this season
Tuesday, 03.8.2016 / 4:25 PM ET

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 forward Andrew Poturalski on a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Poturalski $700,000 on the NHL level or $70,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2016-17, and $832,500 in the NHL or $70,000 in the minor leagues in 2017-18. He will also receive a signing bonus of $185,000. Poturalski will report to Carolina's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.

"Andrew had an outstanding season with New Hampshire and attracted interest from numerous NHL teams, so we are thrilled that he chose Carolina to start his professional career," said Francis. "He's a smart hockey player with really good speed and skill."

Poturalski, 22, ranked second in the NCAA in scoring at the conclusion of his second season for the University of New Hampshire, totaling 52 points (22g, 30a) in 37 games. The Williamsville, NY, native led the Wildcats in goals and points, was tied for first on the team in power-play goals (8) and ranked second on the team in assists. He concluded his collegiate career with 36 goals and 45 assists (81 points) in 77 career games for the Wildcats.

Prior to starting his college career at New Hampshire, Poturalski (5'10", 190 lbs.) spent three seasons with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, totaling 100 points (41g, 59a) in 115 games.

Related news links:

• UNH's Andrew Poturalski in contention for NCAA hockey scoring title [NCAA reprint from The Buffalo News].
• Bob McKenzie: Taking stock of the U.S. college free agent class [TSN.ca].
• The Checkers will sign Poturalski to an amateur tryout contract; he is expected to be available for games this weekend [GoCheckers.com].