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ZHL GENERAL MANAGER: |
Michelle Bigham |
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The Hurricanes finally got the puck-carrying defenseman for which they've been searching, acquiring All-Star Sandis Ozolinsh from Colorado on June 24 for D Nolan Pratt and a first-round draft pick. Ozolinsh, 27, tied for seventh among NHL defensemen in scoring last season with 16 goals and 36 assists. The native of Latvia is a four-time All-Star who won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996. "He consistently scores more than 50 points a season and is a perennial All-Star," GM Jim Rutherford said. "Most importantly, he immediately makes our club more talented and will allow us the opportunity to be more creative offensively." ... Just over a week later, the Hurricanes lost D Sean Hill, who signed as an unrestricted free agent with the St. Louis Blues. ... On June 25, the 'Canes traded up to take D Niclas Wallin with the first pick of the fourth round. Wallin, 25, had seven goals, nine assists and 73 penalty minutes in 48 gamers with Brynas IF Gavle of the Swedish Elite League. "At age 25, he is a strong, hard-working defenseman who we project to be with the Hurricanes this season," Rutherford said. ... Carolina lost a pair of veterans in the expansion draft as D Curtis Leschyshyn was claimed by the Minnesota Wild and LW Robert Kron was taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets. |
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Carolina Hurricanes