RALEIGH, NC—Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with right wing Steven Goertzen (GUHRT-sehn) on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Goertzen $500,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2009-10.

“Steven adds needed size and grit to our organization’s group of forwards,” said Karmanos. “He is an experienced depth player who will help Albany, and also can contribute at the NHL level.”

Goertzen, 25, split the 2008-09 season between the Phoenix Coyotes and their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. In 16 games with the Coyotes, Goertzen scored two goals, earned two assists (4 points) and totaled 24 penalty minutes while averaging 9:42 of ice time per game. He earned his first NHL points with a two-assist night at Edmonton on Jan. 18, and scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 7, when the Hurricanes defeated Phoenix 7-2 at Jobing.com Arena. In the AHL, Goertzen (6’2”, 216 lbs.) scored six goals, earned eight assists (14 points) and totaled 90 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Rampage.

The Stony Hill, Alb., native has played in 62 NHL games with Columbus and Phoenix, accumulating four points and 78 penalty minutes. In 303 career AHL regular-season games, Goertzen has scored 33 goals, earned 41 assists and totaled 475 penalty minutes with Syracuse and San Antonio. The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Goertzen in the seventh round, 225th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.