Training Camp Trimmed to 24 Players

	Left wing Ryan Bayda had four goals and 10 assists in 25 games for Carolina last season.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2003) – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that left wing Ryan Bayda has been reassigned to Lowell of the American Hockey League. The move reduces the Hurricanes’ training camp roster to 24 players, one more than the Opening Night limit.

Bayda, 22, was drafted by the Hurricanes in the third round, 80th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Following three seasons at the University of North Dakota, Bayda signed a three-year contract with the Hurricanes and made his NHL debut on Feb. 14, 2003, midway through his first full professional season. He remained with the Hurricanes until the end of the 2002-03 season and had four goals and 10 assists (14 points) in 25 games. Despite playing just 53 games with Lowell last season, Bayda finished with the team leads in points (43) and assists (32). Bayda had registered two assists in four of Carolina’s first six exhibition games this preseason.

Carolina will finish its 2003 exhibition schedule with a home-and-home, back-to-back set with Washington beginning Friday at MCI Center and concluding Saturday at the RBC Center.

The Hurricanes open their seventh season in North Carolina on Oct. 9 at Florida, before returning to the RBC Center for their home opener, Saturday, Oct. 11 against defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey. Ticket packages for the 2003-04 season are available by calling 1-888-NHL-TIX1. Individual game tickets for October and November games are available at the Dodge Box Office at the RBC Center, at all TicketMaster locations or by calling TicketMaster at 919-834-4000.