Corvo

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the Hurricanes have agreed to terms with defenseman Joe Corvo on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Corvo $2 million in 2010-11 and $2.5 million in 2011-12.

“Joe has been a really good player for us over the last three seasons, and we feel that this solidifies our defense,” said Rutherford. “We appreciate him working with us to get this deal done. He said that he really wanted to stay in Carolina and this commitment confirms that.”

Corvo, 33, split the 2009-10 season between Carolina and Washington, totaling six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 52 games played. The Oak Park, IL, native missed 28 games from Dec. 5 until Feb. 1, after being cut on the lower-right leg by a skate in a game against the Capitals on Nov. 30. Prior to the injury, he ranked first among Hurricanes and eighth in the NHL in average ice time per game (25:33). Corvo (6’0”, 204 lbs.) was traded to the Capitals on March 3 in exchange for defenseman Brian Pothier, center Oskar Osala and Washington’s 2011 second-round draft selection. He had a goal and an assist during the Capitals’ seven-game Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against Montreal.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round, 83rd overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Corvo has totaled 68 goals, 150 assists (218 points) and 186 penalty minutes in 486 career games with Los Angeles, Ottawa, Carolina and Washington. He has five goals and 13 assists (18 points) in 45 career Stanley Cup playoff games. He matched career highs in goals (14) and games played (81), led Carolina blueliners in points (38) and ranked first among NHL defensemen in game-winning goals (6) in 2008-09, his only full season with the Hurricanes.