“Brandon is one of the cornerstones of our franchise moving forward,” Rutherford said. “He is an extremely intelligent player who can perform in all situations, and has already grown into a leadership position for the Hurricanes at a very young age.”

Sutter, 22, established career highs in games played (82), penalty minutes (25) and plus/minus rating (+13) in 2011-12, his third NHL season with the Hurricanes. Born in Huntington, NY, but raised in Red Deer, Alb., he totaled 14 goals and 15 assists (29 points) and led all Carolina forwards in shorthanded ice time (2:21 per game). Sutter (6’3”, 183 lbs.) also led all Carolina forwards and ranked tied for seventh among NHL forwards in blocked shots (73), and was first on the team in plus/minus (+13). He skated in his 200th NHL game on April 2 against the New York Islanders, and the Hurricanes were 11-0-1 when he scored a goal during the 2010-11 season.

Carolina’s first-round selection (11th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter has totaled 36 goals, 39 assists (75 points) and 43 penalty minutes in 204 career NHL games with the Hurricanes. He has represented Canada in a number of international competitions, including the 2007 Under-18 World Junior Championship and the 2007 Canada-Russia Super Series, and won a gold medal with Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championship. Prior to turning professional, Sutter completed a four-year junior hockey career with Red Deer of the Western Hockey League (WHL), totaling 68 goals and 86 assists (154 points) in 205 games.