Hurricanes Sign Stefan Chaput and Nick Dodge to Entry-Level Contracts

[Thrillhouse]

RALEIGH, NC—Ron Francis, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms on entry-level contracts with center Stefan Chaput (SHA-poo) and right wing Nick Dodge. Both players’ contracts will begin with the 2008-09 season.

Chaput, 20, completed his third full season with the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2007-08, finishing the regular season ranked second on the team in goals (33), assists (36) and points (69). The Montreal, Que., native registered two goals, an assist (3 points) and 12 penalty minutes as Lewiston fell 4-2 in its best-of-seven first-round playoff series against Cape Breton. Chaput (6’0”, 190 lbs.) notched 71 goals, earned 97 assists (168 points) and accumulated 135 penalty minutes in 196 career QMJHL regular-season games in his three-plus seasons with the MAINEiacs. The Hurricanes drafted Chaput in the fifth round, 153rd overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He joined Carolina’s top minor-league affiliate, the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League, for the team’s final regular season game at Philadelphia on Sunday, and will be available to the River Rats in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Dodge, 21, completed his senior season at Clarkson University of the ECAC Hockey League in 2007-08, ranking fourth among Golden Knights skaters with 26 points (12g, 14a) in the team’s 39 games. The Oakville, Ont., native was named the ECACHL’s Best Defensive Forward for 2007-08 as he captained Clarkson to the regular-season conference title and its second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Dodge (5’10”, 175 lbs.), who was named a 2007 RBK Second Team All-American and ECACHL First-Team All-Star, finishes his collegiate career with 52 goals and 72 assists (124 points) in 150 games with the Golden Knights. The Hurricanes selected Dodge in the sixth round, 183rd overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Chaput’s three-year deal includes a $120,000 signing bonus, and will pay him $500,000 per season at the NHL level, and an average of $57,500 per season at the minor-league level. Dodge’s two-year contract includes a $60,000 signing bonus, and will pay him $475,000 in the first season, and $500,000 in the second season at the NHL level, and $50,000 in the first year, and $55,000 in the second year at the minor-league level.