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The Carolina Hurricanes made their first transaction of what is expected to be many over the next two weeks on Friday, signing restricted free agent forward Andrew Poturalski to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
An undrafted free agent signing out of the University of New Hampshire in 2016, Poturalski has skated in two full seasons with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. This past season, he finished with 49 points and set a career-high with 22 goals in the American League. In eight postseason games, he had one goal and four assists.
During his rookie season in 2016-17, he skated in two games for the Hurricanes without tallying any points.
Moving forward, Poturalski should continue to be a steady offensive leader for the Checkers, and the Hurricanes will hope that he continues to develop as a late-bloomer and possibly challenge for a roster spot on the big club. Though, given the organization’s youth and talent, that seems unlikely for this upcoming season, barring injuries.
The team’s official press release can be found here and is as follows:
RALEIGH, NC - Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Andrew Poturalski to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Poturalski $700,000 on the NHL level or $70,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level during the 2018-19 season.
”Andrew has shown skill and durability during his time in Charlotte,” said Waddell. ”He has continued to improve his game each season and we hope he can take another step forward next year.”
Poturalski, 24, registered 49 points (22g, 27a) in 76 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) in 2017-18, becoming one of nine players in Charlotte franchise history to play in every game during a season. The 5’10”, 180-pound forward ranked tied for third in the AHL in game-winning goals (7) last season and set career highs in games played and goals. In addition, Poturalski ranked fourth among Checkers skaters in goals and points in 2017-18 and added five points (1g, 4a) in eight Calder Cup playoff games. The Williamsville, NY, native has earned 106 points (43g, 63a) in 166 career AHL games with Charlotte. Poturalski, who originally signed with Carolina as a free agent on March 8, 2016, following his two-year career at the University of New Hampshire, has appeared in two NHL games with the Hurricanes.