Hurricanes Sign Jesse Boulerice to One-Year Deal

[Mr. America]

RALEIGH, NC – Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the 2006 Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed right wing Jesse Boulerice to a one-year contract. The deal will pay Boulerice $450,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 at the American Hockey League level.

“Jesse has been working hard to prepare himself for the upcoming season,” said Karmanos. “We know what he is capable of, and he understands his role in our organization.”

Boulerice, 27, completed his fourth NHL season in 2005-06, splitting the year between Carolina and St. Louis. He played 26 games for the Hurricanes prior to being traded to the Blues in the deal that brought Doug Weight to Carolina. He skated in 12 games for St. Louis, completing the season with 38 games played and 64 penalty minutes.

A native of Plattsburgh, NY, Boulerice has totaled 10 points and 304 penalty minutes in 165 career NHL games with Philadelphia, Carolina and St. Louis, 150 of which have been played in a Hurricanes uniform. Boulerice (6’2’’, 215 lbs.) was a fifth-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally acquired by Carolina on Feb. 13, 2002 in exchange for forward Greg Koehler.

[Captain Crunch28]

damn, i sure didnt expect to see this! I just hope that he gets some playing time. The canes screwed him last season!

[dtdc2k3]

there goes any chance of them playing peat

[jkidd]

Yay...

Now if they dont dump him half way through the year again.

[Mr. America]

The season before the lockout he was showing such promise playing wise. He had a two goal game the last game of the season. He dekeed Luongo out of his goalie pads.

After the lockout the boy couldn't skate for nothing. But he had really improved his balance and strenght it seemed from his fights.

Honestly I'm very suprised by this move. Being he is signed to a two way deal, I expect a showdown with him and Peat during camp.

Actually Peat isn't signed. s

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Good... Its nice to see Carolina who went soft last year realize the need for a heavy this year.

[Jensen]

Good signing, now hopefully they'll actually play him some this year.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by OLLBLUEEYZ

Good... Its nice to see Carolina who went soft last year realize the need for a heavy this year.

After the way BGL started throwing his weight around in the Finals (especially that nasty boarding penalty), they need anything resembling an enforcer to make sure that doesnt happen again.

[Isles4life]

It'd be nice to see him play this year...

[BGDDYKWL]

This is surprising. Great news though. Lets hope he actually plays. Perhaps this along with the Brash signing will force others in the division to toughen up a bit.

[lehighans]

Jesse THROWS BOMBS. Great Signing hopefully he makes the squad as a fourth line regular and contributes some mayhem.

[spiderarms]

I never expected the Canes to sign a tough guy after winning the cup without one. I'm shocked and happy at the same time. Now I see hope for Tampa Bay and Detriot. If Tampa calls up Mitch Fritz and Detriot signs either Godard or Erskine, with Vancouver getting the other, my NHL hockey world would be hopeful again!

[shedthemitts]

With the new emphasis on divisional play in this season's schedule, should Jesse stick with the big club, he and Boulton may have a good rivalry going this year.

[HordiBrusk29]

I'm not convinced he'll stick with Carolina for most of the season. Considering it's a two way deal unless Boulerice really shows up to camp willing and able I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the AHL.

[Cardiac_Canes]

The canes didn't screw Boulerice, he screwed himself. He was showing promise prior to the lockout but for whatever reason decided not to play in Europe or even in the ahl. That really cost him. This is a minor league signing. There is no way he sticks with the team on the fourth line. He isn't going to beat Craig Adams or Chad LaRose for a spot. I only hope this signing doesn't mean they won't sign Stephen Peat. I'd rather have him over Boulerice.