Hurricanes sign brothers David, Jason Cotton to entry-level contracts
The Carolina Hurricanes, continuing their hockey business during the NHL’s suspension of play, on Tuesday signed brothers David and Jason Cotton to entry-level contracts.
David Cotton, a forward who played college hockey at Boston College, signed a two-year contract that will pay him $700,000 in 2020-21 and $832,500 in 2021-22 at the NHL level and $70,000 at the American Hockey League level in both seasons. He received a $185,000 signing bonus.
Jason Cotton, a Hobey Baker Award finalist at Sacred Heart this season, signed a one-year contract for the 2020-21 season that will pay $700,000 at the NHL level and $50,000 at the AHL level. The forward received a $25,000 signing bonus.
“David and Jason both had very productive senior seasons this year,” Canes president and general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “We’ve been pleased with David’s progress over his four years at Boston College, and his brother Jason was recently named a Hobey Baker Award finalist. We’re excited to see what they can accomplish at the professional level.”
David Cotton, 22, was named a Hockey East third-team all-star this season at BC, where he served as team captain. He had 15 goals and 24 assists in 32 games as a senior.
A native of Parker, Texas, David Cotton was a sixth-round draft choice by Carolina in the 2015 NHL Draft. The 6-4, 197-pound forward was named a Hockey East first-team all-star and second-team All-American as a junior.
Jason Cotton, 25, finished with 20 goals and 17 assists in 34 games at Sacred Heart this season and was the Pioneers’ captain. The 6-3, 190-pound forward was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year and an Atlantic Hockey First Team All-Star.
Among Division I skaters, Jason Cotton was tied for first in shorthanded goals (3) and tied for sixth in goals (20) this season.
David Cotton considered signing with the Canes after the 2018-19 college season. Calling it a “difficult decision,” he decided to return to BC, where the Eagles were 24-8-2 this season.
“Having this opportunity, especially being a captain, to achieve something as a team was a big part of my decision,” he said at the Canes’ prospects development camp in June.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 10:20 AM.
