SILVERTIPS' RISSANEN SIGNS WITH NHL'S HURRICANES

Press Release

Everett, WA -- The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday that defenseman Rasmus Rissanen has been signed to a three-year entry level contract.

The 6’3, 205 pound native of Kuopio, Finland was drafted in the sixth round, 178th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Carolina and was subsequently selected by the Silvertips 17th overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. An alternate captain with Everett in 2010-11, Rissanen, 19, recently completed a season in which he tallied 12 points on one goal and 11 assists, and has now totaled 27 points (5-22-27) and 192 penalty minutes in 139 career Western Hockey League games.

Rissanen represented Finland at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, NY, totaling 14 penalty minutes and a +1 rating while playing in all six games, leading Finland to a sixth place finish.

“This is a huge honor, and I am very excited to sign a professional contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. It has been a goal of mine since I joined the Silvertips to sign a contract and play professionally with them. I had a great two years with Everett, and want to thank everyone for how much I was supported in my time here,” Rissanen said.

Rissanen is the seventh Silvertip to sign a contract with an NHL club over the last three seasons, joining Taylor Ellington, Kellan Tochkin, Thomas Heemskerk, Shane Harper, Radko Gudas and Landon Ferraro.

“We are very pleased that Rasmus has signed a contract with Carolina,” Silvertips Vice President / General Manager Doug Soetaert said. “Rasmus is a quality young man with a tremendous work ethic and fully committed himself to improvement on and off the ice. We wish him the absolute best in the future.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)