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 defenseman Jay Harrison on a one-year contract. The deal will pay him $500,000 in 2010-11.

“We really like Jay’s all-around game, and especially the level of toughness he brings to our team,” said Rutherford. “He is a character guy, as he proved by playing through an injury most of last season.”

Harrison, 27, established NHL career highs in games played (38), goals (1), assists (5), points (6) and penalty minutes (50) for the Hurricanes in 2009-10, and was tied for second on the team in fighting majors (6). The Oshawa, Ont., native also had two goals and 12 assists (14 points) and was plus-8 in 32 American Hockey League (AHL) games with Albany. Harrison (6’4”, 211 lbs.) was reassigned to Albany at the conclusion of the Hurricanes’ season, and played in all eight Calder Cup playoff games for the River Rats, earning three assists and leading the team with 23 penalty minutes.

Harrison was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round, 82nd overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He has one goal, seven assists (8 points) and 68 penalty minutes in 58 career NHL games with Carolina and Toronto.