Hurricanes sign prospect Di Giuseppe to ELC

Gregg Forwerck - TSN via Carolina Hurricanes
Gregg Forwerck – TSN via Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Wednesday that the team had agreed to terms with forward Phil Di Giuseppe on a three-year, entry-level contract.

On the NHL level, the deal will pay Di Giuseppe $675,000 in 2014-15, $725,000 in 2015-16, and $775,000 in 2016-17.

He will earn $70,000 per year on the American Hockey League (AHL) level and the deal includes a signing bonus of $277,500.

“We’re pleased that Phil has chosen to begin his professional hockey career,” said vice president of hockey operations Ron Francis.

“He’s got good size, and adds to our organization’s depth at forward.”

Di Giuseppe attended the Hurricanes’ prospect camps held in 2012 and 2013, but did not participate in on-ice work last August due to recovering from a hand injury.

The 20-year-old left winger ranked 22nd in the Big Ten in scoring in 2013-14, totaling 13 goals and 11 assists (24 points) in 35 games played for the University of Michigan.

Notably, he posted game-winning goals during conference play against Michigan State (Jan. 23), Penn State (Feb. 22) and Ohio State (March 2).

Selected by the Hurricanes in the second round, (38th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, Di Giuseppe completed his college career with 33 goals, 45 assists (78 points) and 79 penalty minutes in 116 career games for Michigan.