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 center Tim Brent. The two-year deal will pay Brent $700,000 in 2011-12, and $800,000 in 2012-13.

“Signing Tim helps give us the depth we need at the center position,” said Rutherford. “He had a strong year with Toronto and is entering the prime years of his playing career.”

Brent, 27, played in 79 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11, notching eight goals and earning 12 assists (20 points), while averaging 11:39 of ice time per game. The Cambridge, Ont., native ranked second among Maple Leafs in winning 52.0 percent of his faceoffs, and led Toronto forwards in average shorthanded time on ice per game (1:58) and blocked shots (58). He also ranked fourth among team forwards with 104 hits.

Brent (6’0”, 188 lbs.) was originally drafted by Anaheim in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, but re-entered the draft in 2004 after failing to come to terms on a contract. Anaheim then drafted him in the third round, 75th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He has scored nine goals, earned 12 assists (21 points) and accumulated 41 penalty minutes in 98 career NHL games with Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Toronto. His career statistics can be found here.