Pistilli signs with Carolina

Press Release

RALEIGH, NC—Jason Karmanos, Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with right wing Matthew Pistilli (Pih-STILL-ee) on a three-year, entry-level contract. Pistilli, who completed his fourth season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this year, will be paid an average of $50,000 per season on the American Hockey League (AHL) level and an average of $508,000 per season on the NHL level over the next three seasons. He will also receive a signing bonus of $40,000.

“Matthew is a big, strong winger who has a proven ability to finish,” said Hurricanes Director of Amateur Scouting Tony MacDonald. “He has a knack for being able to get to the front of the net and score, and will add more depth to our organization at his position.”

Pistilli (6’2’’, 220 lbs.) ranked fourth in the QMJHL in goals during the 2008-09 season, finding the net a team-best 45 times. He ranked third among Shawinigan skaters and eighth in the QMJHL in scoring with 86 points, and had 20 points (13g, 7a) in 21 playoff games for the Cataractes as Shawinigan advanced to the seventh game of the QMJHL Finals before falling to Drummondville. Pistilli, 20, ranked seventh in the QMJHL in scoring in 2007-08, totaling 93 points (37g, 56a) during the regular season. He helped lead Gatineau to the 2008 QMJHL title with 28 points (11g, 17a) in 19 playoff games.

The Montreal, Que., native completed his five-year junior hockey career with 120 goals and 145 assists (265 points) in 259 career games. Two players on the current Hurricanes roster – Chad LaRose and Bryan Rodney – were also signed by Carolina as undrafted free agents.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)