O'Sullivan

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed center Patrick O’Sullivan to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay O’Sullivan $600,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level during the 2010-11 season.

“Patrick had a little bit of an off year with Edmonton last season, but is still young and very skilled,” said Rutherford. “He scored 20 goals just a few seasons ago, and has the ability to reach that mark again. Patrick will be in competition for a spot on our NHL roster during training camp.”

O’Sullivan, 25, netted 11 goals and earned 23 assists (34 points) in 73 games for Edmonton in 2009-10, ranking fifth among Oilers in scoring and tied for fifth in assists. He was tied for first on the team in game-winning goals (3) and connected on four of 11 shootout attempts (36.4%). Though born in Toronto, O’Sullivan (5’11”, 190 lbs.) spent the first eight years of his life in Winston-Salem, NC, and began playing hockey in the Tar Heel State. Drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the second round, 56th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he has totaled 54 goals and 95 assists (149 points) in 280 career NHL games with Los Angeles and Edmonton. The Oilers originally acquired O’Sullivan as part of the three-team trade in which the Hurricanes acquired Erik Cole from Edmonton. 

O’Sullivan played his junior hockey in Canada, collecting four consecutive 30-goal seasons for Mississauga (Ontario Hockey League) between 2001-02 and 2004-05, and totaling 345 points (148g, 197a) 234 career OHL games. During his first professional season in 2005-06, he ranked third in the AHL in goals and fourth in the AHL in points, collecting 47 goals and 93 points to lead league rookies and establish Houston franchise rookie records. He was awarded the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Trophy as the AHL’s Outstanding Rookie, and participated in the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic. O’Sullivan has represented the United States in a number of international competitions, including the 2006 and 2008 IIHF World Championships. He also skated for Team USA in three consecutive World Junior Championships between 2003 and 2005, and scored the game-winning goal in the gold-medal game against Canada at the 2004 World Junior Championships. O’Sullivan’s career statistics can be found here.