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 prospect Matt Kennedy on a three-year, entry-level contract. In the NHL, the deal will pay Kennedy $500,000 in 2010-11 and $525,000 in 2011-12 and 2012-13. In the AHL, it will pay him $50,000 in 2010-11, $55,000 in 2011-12 and $60,000 in 2012-13. He also receives a signing bonus of $150,000. 

Kennedy, 21, completed his fifth season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2009-10, splitting the season between Guelph and Barrie. The Richmond Hill, Ont., native totaled 18 goals and 16 assists (34 points) in 43 regular season games, including 18 points in 29 games after being acquired by Barrie from Guelph in December in exchange for Ryan Gottschalk, two second-round picks and a third-round pick. Kennedy (6’2”, 202 lbs.) added nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 17 OHL playoff games as the Colts advanced to the OHL Finals before falling to eventual Memorial Cup Champion Windsor.

Drafted by the Hurricanes in the fifth round, 131st overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kennedy completed his OHL career with 79 goals, 72 assists (151 points) and 336 penalty minutes in 231 games for Guelph and Barrie. He had 16 goals and 10 assists (26 points) in 35 career playoff games. He has also played four American Hockey League (AHL) games with Syracuse, scoring one goal.