RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with center Brody Sutter on a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will pay Sutter $525,000 per season at the NHL level, or $55,000 per season at the minor-league level, and includes a $105,000 signing bonus.

“Brody had a good final year of junior hockey, and played well in Charlotte to finish the season,” said Francis. “He’s a big body and has shown an ability to produce offensively.”

Sutter, 20, led the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2011-12 with 30 goals and 60 points, and ranked second on the team with 30 assists, while playing in 65 regular-season games. He was named the team’s most sportsmanlike player, won the Hurricanes’ community relations award and was voted “fan favorite” in an online poll. The Viking, Alb., native finished his junior hockey career with 57 goals and 68 assists (125 points) in 231 regular-season games with Lethbridge and Saskatoon.

Following the conclusion of Lethbridge’s season, Sutter (6’5”, 203 lbs.) joined the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), and scored one goal and had a plus-1 rating in four games. Carolina drafted Sutter (6’5”, 203 lbs.) in the seventh round, 193^rd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He is the younger cousin of Hurricanes Alternate Captain Brandon Sutter, as well as forward Brett Sutter, who split 2011-12 between the Hurricanes and the Checkers.