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 right wing Anthony Stewart on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Stewart $800,000 in 2011-12, and $1 million in 2012-13.

“Anthony is a big man who plays a strong all-around game,” said Rutherford. “He is coming off of a very good season with Atlanta and will be a strong addition to the Hurricanes’ forward lines.”

Stewart, 26, posted career highs in goals (14), assists (25), points (39) and games played (80) with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010-11. The La Salle, Que., native finished the season ranked tied for fifth among Thrashers skaters in assists, tied for sixth on the team in goals and seventh in scoring. Stewart (6’3”, 230 lbs.) has scored 18 goals, earned 33 assists (51 points) and accumulated 93 penalty minutes in 185 career NHL regular-season games with Florida and Atlanta since turning professional in 2004. The Panthers drafted Stewart in the first round, 25th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. His career statistics can be found here.