The Carolina Hurricanes, National Hockey League affiliate of the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, announced that the team has agreed to terms with left wing Nathan Gerbe on a one-year, two-way contract.
The deal will pay Gerbe $550,000 on the NHL level or $150,000 on the American Hockey League level, with a guarantee of at least $250,000.
Gerbe, 26, netted five goals and added five assists (10 points) in 42 games for the Buffalo Sabres in 2012-13. The Oxford, Mich., was selected by the Sabres in the fifth round in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and has totaled 29 goals and 43 assists (72 points) in 188 career NHL games, all with Buffalo. He has appeared in nine Stanley Cup playoff games for the Sabres, earning four points (3g, 1a).
Gerbe was honored with the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding rookie in 2008-09, after netting 30 goals and adding 26 assists (56 points) in 57 games during his first professional season with the Portland Pirates. He also skated in 44 games with the Pirates in 2009-10, registering 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points, and represented the host city at the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic held in Portland.
Prior to turning professional, Gerbe completed three seasons at Boston College, where he led the nation in goals (35) and points (68) during his junior season. He was named USA Hockey’s National College Player of the Year, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and earned Most Outstanding Player at the Frozen Four after scoring eight points (5g, 3a) in two games to lead the Eagles to the 2008 NCAA championship.
