The Carolina Hurricanes secured a piece of pro hockey's most famous bloodline on Wednesday, signing 2007 first-round pick Brandon Sutter to a three-year contract.
Sutter — the son of former NHL player and current New Jersey Devils head coach Brent Sutter — just completed his third full year with the Red Deer Rebels of the junior Western Hockey League, leading the team in goals (26) and points (49).
Brandon Sutter helped Canada win this year's world junior championship in the Czech Republic.
(Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
The 19-year-old forward also helped Canada win this year's world junior championship, registering an assist and a plus-1 rating in Canada's seven games in the tournament in the Czech Republic.
Sutter is the ninth member of his famous clan to be drafted into the NHL. His uncles Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron also enjoyed long NHL careers, while his cousins Shaun and Brett were Calgary Flames picks but haven't appeared in the league.
"We're excited about signing Brandon," Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "We look forward to his continued development, and watching him work his way toward playing with the Hurricanes."
Sutter will report immediately to the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate in Albany, N.Y. His contract with Carolina is of the two-way variety, meaning he'll make $787,500 US per season at the NHL level, or $65,000 a season if he's in the minors. Sutter also received a $262,500 signing bonus.
