Carolina Hurricanes sign G Jeremy Smith, D Brenden Kichton and Dennis Robertson to one-year, two-way contracts

The Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday signed a trio of minor-league players to one-year contracts. Defenseman Dennis Robertson will return to the Checkers following a solid season in the AHL, and goaltender Jeremy Smith and defenseman Brenden Kichton will join him on two-way deals in Charlotte.

Kichton was signed to a one-year, two-way deal that will pay him $700k in the NHL and $235k in the AHL. He has posted 141 points and 134 PIM in 272 career AHL games, and will help provide some defensive stability for the Checkers with the likely ascension of Haydn Fleury to the NHL.

Smith’s signing comes after the rights to goaltender Tom McCollum were traded from the Calgary Flames to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, likely ending McCollum’s tenure with the Checkers after being loaned to Charlotte by the Flames late in the 2016-17 season.

The releases from the team are below.

CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH JEREMY SMITH
Goaltender split 2016-17 between Colorado Avalanche, San Antonio Rampage

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 goaltender Jeremy Smith on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Smith $750,000 on the NHL level or $225,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level.

Smith, 28, appeared in 10 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016-17, going 1-6-1 with a 3.54 goals-against average. The Dearborn, MI, native made his NHL debut for the Avalanche on Feb. 14, stopping 37 of 40 shots in a loss against the New Jersey Devils. Smith played 17 AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage in 2016-17, posting a record of 5-8-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average.

Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round, 54^th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Smith (6’0”, 177 lbs.) has played 265 career AHL games with Milwaukee, Springfield, Providence, Iowa and San Antonio, going 132-98-24 with a 2.43 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. Prior to turning professional, he played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), spending the majority of that time with the Plymouth Whalers, where his head coach was current Charlotte Checkers Head Coach Mike Vellucci.

KICHTON AGREES TO TERMS WITH HURRICANES
Defenseman has appeared in 272 career AHL games

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 Brenden Kichton on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Kichton $700,000 on the NHL level or $235,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2017-18.

Kichton, 25, ranked second among Manitoba Moose defensemen with 23 points (1g, 22a) in 63 AHL games in 2016-17. The Spruce Grove, Alb, native was third among all Manitoba skaters in assists, and has now totaled 141 points (30g, 111a) and 134 penalty minutes in 272 career AHL games with the St. John’s IceCaps and Manitoba Moose.

Kichton (6’0”, 190 lbs.) was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, before re-entering the draft in 2013 and being selected by Winnipeg in the seventh round. Prior to turning professional, he played five seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he totaled 268 points (67g, 201a) in 333 career games.

CANES, ROBERTSON AGREE TO TERMS ON CONTRACT
Ranked tied for third among Checkers defensemen in plus/minus in 2016-17

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 Dennis Robertson on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Robertson $650,000 on the NHL level or $100,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2017-18.

Robertson, 26, totaled 16 points (6g, 10a) and 52 penalty minutes in 65 regular-season games for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) in 2016-17. The Fort St. John, BC, native ranked tied for third among Charlotte blueliners in plus/minus (+7) during the regular season. He was tied for first among club defensemen in scoring during the Calder Cup playoffs, earning three points (1g, 2a) in five postseason contests.

Originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round (173^rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Robertson was originally acquired by Carolina on Jan. 1, 2014, along with John-Michael Liles, in exchange for Tim Gleason. He has scored 11 goals, earned 31 assists (42 points) and accumulated 156 penalty minutes in 181 career AHL regular-season games with Rockford and Charlotte.