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 right wing Tom Kostopoulos (kuh-STAWP-oh-lihs) on a three-year contract. The deal will pay Kostopoulos $700,000 in 2009-10, $950,000 in 2010-11 and $1.1 million in 2011-12.

“Tom is a character player who adds grit to our lineup,” said Rutherford. “He is a strong penalty killer and plays a high-energy game that will fit our team’s style of play.”

Kostopoulos, 30, completed his seventh NHL season in 2008-09, totaling eight goals and 14 assists (22 points) in 78 games with the Montreal Canadiens. The Mississauga, Ont., native ranked second among Canadiens skaters in penalty minutes (106) and hits (167) during the regular season. Kostopoulos (6’0”, 200 lbs.) also played in all four of Montreal’s postseason contests, earning one assist during the team’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against Boston.

Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round, 204th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Kostopoulos has totaled 40 goals and 65 assists (105 points) and 468 penalty minutes in 376 career NHL regular-season games. He has notched five points (3g, 2a) in 16 career Stanley Cup playoff games.  His career statistics can be found here.