Gragnani

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani (MAHRK-AWN-dray GRAN-ya-nee) on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Gragnani $800,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level.

“Marc-Andre was in the NHL all of last season, and will push for a job with us in the fall,” said Francis. “He has good size and has shown the ability to produce offensively both in the AHL and the NHL.”

Gragnani, 25, split the 2011-12 season between Buffalo and Vancouver, totaling two goals, 13 assists (15 points) and 26 penalty minutes in 58 games. The Montreal native played 44 games with the Sabres and had a plus-10 plus/minus rating prior to being dealt to Vancouver along with Zack Kassian in exchange for Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer on Feb. 27.

Drafted by the Sabres in the third round, 87th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Gragnani (6’2”, 201 lbs.) has appeared in 73 career NHL games with Buffalo and Vancouver, registering three goals and 15 assists (18 points). In 283 career AHL games with Rochester and Portland, he earned 206 points (47g, 159a) and registered 185 penalty minutes. Prior to turning professional, Gragnani played four seasons with the P.E.I. Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, tallying 193 points (50g, 143a) in 256 games.