CAROLINA GETS
Sova	2012 FOURTH ROUND DRAFT PICK
NEW JERSEY GETS
Ponikarovsky

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired defenseman Joe Sova and New Jersey’s 2012 fourth-round draft pick from the Devils in exchange for forward Alexei Ponikarovsky.

“This trade brings the Hurricanes assets for the future, and gives the young players in our system the opportunity to gain more NHL experience this year,” said Rutherford. “We thank Alexei for his hard work during his time with the Hurricanes and wish him good luck in the future.”

Sova, 23, is in his first full professional season after playing three seasons with the University of Alaska of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The Berwyn, IL, native has notched two goals and earned two assists (4 points) in 14 American Hockey League (AHL) games this season with the Albany Devils, and also has earned seven points (2g, 5a) in 18 ECHL games this season with Kalamazoo. Before turning professional, Sova (6’3”, 195 lbs.) played 115 games with the Nanooks in three collegiate seasons, scoring 13 goals and earning 45 assists (58 points). The Devils signed Sova as a free agent following the conclusion of the 2010-11 collegiate season.