Hurricanes sign Brian Gibbons to one-year, two-way contract

What better way could the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate Independence Day than by signing a player who has been both an Eagle and a Senator?

The Hurricanes announced Thursday that they have signed center Brian Gibbons to a one-year contract that will pay him $725,000 in the NHL or $100,000 in the AHL, with a guarantee of $225,000. Gibbons, who spent the 2018-19 season split between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators, will serve as a functional replacement for Greg McKegg, who signed with the New York Rangers on the first day of free agency.

The forward has tallied 25 goals and 67 points in his NHL career, which has been spent with five different organizations after making his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013. Gibbons has also scored 55 goals and 160 points in 329 games in the AHL. If Gibbons does not make the Hurricanes roster, he will require clearing waivers to be assigned to Charlotte.

Gibbons is a two-time national champion at Boston College, winning the title in 2008 and 2010. After spending four years with the Eagles, Gibbons signed a two-year contract with the Penguins as an undrafted free agent in 2011.

The release from the team is below.

CANES SIGN GIBBONS TO ONE-YEAR, TWO-WAY DEAL

Forward has posted 67 points in 189 career NHL games

Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Brian Gibbons to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2019-20 season. The contract will pay Gibbons $725,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level, with a $225,000 guarantee.

“Brian is an experienced winger with nearly 200 games of NHL experience,”said Waddell. “He spent all of last season on the NHL level and bolsters our organizational depth at forward.”

Gibbons, 31, recorded 19 points (8g, 11a) in 64 games with Anaheim and Ottawa last season, including 14 points (6g, 8a) in 20 games after being traded from the Ducks to the Senators on Feb. 25. The 5’8”, 175-pound forward has registered 67 points (25g, 42a) in 189 career NHL games with Pittsburgh, Columbus, New Jersey, Anaheim and Ottawa. Gibbons has also skated in 329 career AHL games, tallying 160 points (55g, 105a). The Braintree, Mass., native played four seasons at Boston College, where he posted 164 points (56g, 108a) in 160 games and won the NCAA Division I National Championship twice (2008 and 2010).