Will work with team in player and prospect development capacity

RALEIGH, N.C. (Jan. 8, 2004) – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that Randy Ladouceur will remain with the organization in the hockey operations department where he will assist with player and prospect development.

“I am very happy that Randy has chosen to stay with our organization,” said Rutherford. “He will continue to make an important contribution to our team.”

Ladouceur is in his eighth season with the Hurricanes franchise in a management role, having served as the team’s assistant coach from 1996 through 2003. A veteran of 17 NHL seasons as a player, Ladouceur appeared in 930 games, notching 30 goals and 126 assists for 156 points and accumulated 1,322 penalty minutes. He completed his career with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where he served as team captain for the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons.

Prior to Anaheim, Ladouceur played in 452 games over six-plus seasons with Hartford, tallying 12 goals and 43 assists for 55 points. In the 1991-92 season, Ladouceur served as team captain. He received the Frank Keyes Memorial Award as the Whalers’ “Unsung Hero” in 1990-91 and was the team’s top-scoring defenseman in the 1991 playoffs.

Ladouceur started his playing career with Detroit in 1979, and spent six seasons with the Red Wings. He was traded to Hartford in January 1987 for Dave Barr and was part of the Whalers’ Adams Division winning team in 1986-87.

Rutherford also announced that former head coach Paul Maurice has not yet made a decision about his future.

“Paul is taking some extra time with his family,” said Rutherford. “We will continue to talk to him about his future.”

The Carolina Hurricanes take on the New York Rangers tonight at 7 p.m. at the RBC Center. Individual game tickets for all January and February games are available at the Dodge Box Office at the RBC Center, at all TicketMaster locations or by calling TicketMaster at 919-834-4000.