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 Brett Carson on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Carson $500,000 on the NHL level and $105,000 on the American Hockey League level in 2010-11.
 
“Brett got his first shot at being a regular on the NHL level last season, and proved that he could provide a consistent, solid presence on our back end,” said Rutherford.“We’re happy that we were able to get this deal done and bring him back, as this really strengthens the depth of our defense.”
 
Carson, 24, established NHL career highs in games played (54), goals (2), assists (10) and points (12) for Carolina in 2009-10. The Regina, Sask., native ranked second among Hurricanes skaters in plus/minus, with a plus-5 rating, and was fourth on the team in blocked shots (89). He scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 10, beating Ottawa’s Pascal LeClaire, and averaged 17:22 in ice time per game. Carson also skated in 14 AHL games with Albany in 2009-10, notching three goals and eight assists (11 points).
 
Drafted by the Hurricanes in the fourth round, 109^th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Carson (6’4”, 210 lbs.) has totaled two goals, 10 assists (12 points) and 16 penalty minutes in 59 career NHL games with the Hurricanes. He has 13 goals, 75 assists (88 points) and 92 penalty minutes in 223 career AHL games, all with Albany.