Tomas Kurka reassigned to Lock Monsters

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the defending Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has recalled forward Brad Defauw from Lowell of the American Hockey League. The Hurricanes reassigned forward Tomas Kurka to the Lock Monsters.

Defauw (6’2’’, 220 lbs.) was drafted by Carolina in the second round, 28th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and has yet to make his NHL debut. The Edina, Minn. native has 23 points (11g, 12a) in 61 games for Lowell this season. In two seasons with the Lock Monsters, Defauw has totaled 61 points (28g, 33a) in 124 games. Defauw played 150 games over four years at the University of North Dakota and was part of National Championship teams for the Fighting Sioux in 1997 and 2000.

Kurka (5’ 11”, 190 lbs.) made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes on Feb. 26 at Phoenix, tallying his first NHL goal in that game. In six games played with Carolina, Kurka had one points (1g, 0a) and two penalty minutes. In 55 games with Lowell this season, Kurka, 21, has 13 goals and 11 assists (24 points) and ranks fifth on the team in scoring. A native of Most, Czech Republic, Kurka turned professional last season and had 13 goals and 15 assists (28 points) in 71 regular-season games with Lowell. He played two seasons with Plymouth of the OHL prior to turning professional and totaled 108 points (51 goals, 57 assists) in 111 regular-season games. Kurka was selected by Carolina in the second round, 32nd overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

The Hurricanes host the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday at 7 p.m. at the RBC Center. Tickets for that game and all Hurricanes games are available via the team’s official website, CarolinaHurricanes.com, the Dodge Box Office at RBC Center or by calling 919-834-4000.