Canes sign Ryan to one-year deal

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Thursday that center Derek Ryan had signed a one-year, two-way contract that will pay him $600,000 on the NHL level, or $300,000 on the American Hockey League level, with a guarantee of $350,000.

“Derek is a high-character, veteran player who has contributed offensively at every level he has played,” Canes general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. “He was a leader for Charlotte last season and played well when called up to the Hurricanes.”

Ryan, 29, made his NHL debut and scored his first NHL goal with the Hurricanes March 1 at New Jersey. He played in six NHL games with Carolina, notching two goals.

Ryan led the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, with 23 goals and 55 points in 2015-16, and ranked second on the team with 32 assists in 70 games played.

Ryan spent 2014-15 with Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), earning SHL Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Canes sign Ryan to one-year deal."