Canes sign Pesce, Nedeljkovic to entry-level deals
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Friday they have signed defenseman Brett Pesce and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic to a three-year, entry-level contracts. Both will report to the Charlotte Checkers, the Canes’ AHL affiliate.
On the NHL level, the deal will pay Pesce $650,000 in 2015-16, $700,000 in 2016-17 and $800,000 in 2017-18. His American Hockey League salary would be $70,000 per year, and he receives a signing bonus of $277,500.
At the NHL level, Nedeljkovic would be paid $700,000 in 2015-16, $750,000 in 2016-17 and $800,000 in 2017-18. In the minors, he will make $70,000 each season, and he also will receive a signing bonus of $277,500.
“Brett is a big, puck-moving defenseman, and we felt it was time for him to begin his professional career,” general manager Ron Francis said in a statement.
Pesce, 20, completed his junior season at the University of New Hampshire in 2014-2015 and was second among Wildcats defenseman with 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) and a plus-12 rating in 30 games. Pesce, listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, was a third-round draft pick by the Canes in the 2013 NHL draft. led New Hampshire defensemen in assists (13) and ranked tied for third among all Wildcats skaters in plus/minus (+12).
Nedeljkovic, 19, has completed his third season of major-junior hockey with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He finished the season first among OHL goaltenders in saves (1,827) and shots faced (1,994), tied for third in shutouts (5), fourth in games (55) and minutes played (3,206), fifth in save percentage (.916) and 12th in goals-against average (3.13).
This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Canes sign Pesce, Nedeljkovic to entry-level deals."