RALEIGH, N.C. – Defenseman Brett Bellemore will return to play for the Carolina Hurricanes as announced by the team on Friday.
The one-year, two-way deal that both sides agreed on will pay the blueliner $600,000 on the NHL level, or $175,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2014-15.
Carolina’s sixth-round pick (162nd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Bellemore completed his rookie season in the NHL with eight points (2g, 6a) in 64 games played with the Hurricanes in 2013-14.
He ranked second on the team and second among NHL rookie defensemen with 169 hits, while his 45 penalty minutes tied him for second among Carolina skaters.
The 26-year-old, six-foot-four-inch, 225 pounder has played in 72 career NHL games with the Hurricanes, scoring two goals and earning eight assists since making his NHL debut on Mar. 21, 2013.
Bellemore’s career AHL statistics include 40 points (6g, 34a) and 312 penalty minutes in 300 games played with the Charlotte Checkers and Albany River Rats.