Defenseman to Join Team Tonight in Tampa Bay

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the defending Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has recalled defenseman Steve Halko from Lowell of the American Hockey League (AHL). Halko will be available for Thursday’s game at Tampa Bay.

Halko, 28, has played five games for Carolina this season during two previous recall stints from Lowell. In 45 games with the Lock Monsters this season, Halko has three goals, 14 assists and 26 penalty minutes. His 17 points rank him tied for first among Lowell defenseman.

Halko (6’ 1’’, 200 lbs.) was the organization’s 10th-round draft pick, 225th overall, in 1992. He played in five games with Carolina last season, registering one assist. Halko is in his sixth NHL season and sixth with Carolina. In 154 NHL games, he has registered 15 assists and 71 penalty minutes.

The Hurricanes face Southeast Division rival Tampa Bay tonight at St. Pete Times Forum (7 p.m., Fox SportsNet). Following the game, Carolina will return to Raleigh for the NHL All-Star break before embarking on a four-game road swing that takes them to San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Dallas.

The Hurricanes return to RBC Center on Feb. 14 to face the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. Tickets for that game and all Hurricanes home games are available via the team’s official website CarolinaHurricanes.com, the Dodge Box Office at RBC Center or by calling 919.834.4000.