RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Jussi Jokinen on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Jokinen $1.5 million in 2009-10 and $1.9 million in 2010-11.

“Jussi was a good addition to our team last season, and he really stepped into his role in the playoffs,” said Rutherford. “His ability to contribute on the power play and penalty kill, and his versatility at different forward positions makes him a valuable player.”

Jokinen, 26, completed his fourth NHL season in 2008-09. The Hurricanes acquired the Kalajoki, Finland, native in a trade with Tampa Bay on Feb. 7, 2009, and he scored one goal and earned 10 assists (11 points) in 25 regular-season games with Carolina following the trade. Jokinen (5’11”, 198 lbs.) ranked second among Hurricanes skaters with seven goals, and tied for second with 11 points while playing in all 18 of the team’s postseason games. Jokinen has scored 54 goals and earned 118 assists (172 points) in 306 career regular-season games with Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina. The Stars drafted Jokinen in the sixth round, 192nd overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.