RALEIGH, NC—Ron Francis, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League’s
Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has agreed to terms with unrestricted free-agent forward
Ryan Bayda and forward/defenseman
Wade Brookbank, as well as restricted free-agent defenseman
Tim Conboy. Bayda’s and Brookbank’s one-year deals will pay them each $475,000 in 2008-09, while Conboy’s two-year deal will pay him $475,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the minor-league level next season, and $500,000 at the NHL level in 2009-10.
“Ryan, Wade and Tim were important players for the Hurricanes in the second half of last season,” said Francis. “At this point in their careers, they have each earned NHL contracts and a spot on the Hurricanes’ roster.”
Bayda, 27, completed his fourth NHL season with the Hurricanes in 2007-08, scoring three goals and earning three assists (6 points) in 31 games. The Saskatoon, Sask., native also added seven goals and 10 assists (17 points) in 21 games with Carolina’s top minor-league affiliate, the
Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Bayda (5’11”, 185 lbs.) has played in 109 career NHL games, totaling 11 goals and 17 assists (28 points). He turned professional in 2001-02 following his junior season at the University of North Dakota, joining the Carolina organization that drafted him in the third round, 80th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Brookbank, 30, joined the Hurricanes organization during the 2007 off-season as a free agent, and scored one goal, earned one assist (2 points) and totaled 76 penalty minutes in 32 NHL games following his late-December recall from Albany. The Lanigan, Sask., native played in 25 games with Albany to start 2007-08, earning two assists and accumulating 28 penalty minutes. Brookbank (6’4”, 225 lbs.) has scored five goals, earned three assists (8 points) and totaled 305 penalty minutes in 100 career NHL regular-season games with Nashville, Vancouver, Boston and Carolina.
Conboy, 26, completed his first season with the Hurricanes in 2007-08, making his NHL debut on Jan. 12 against Colorado, and posting five assists and 60 penalty minutes in 19 NHL games. The Farmington, MN, native also added two goals, two assists (4 points) and 191 penalty minutes in 52 AHL games with Albany. Conboy (6’2”, 210 lbs.) was named the River Rats’ “Man of the Year” for his contributions and community work in the Albany area. San Jose drafted Conboy in the seventh round, 217th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
