Chad LaRose re-signs with the Carolina Hurricanes for 2 years

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Chad LaRose with a two-year deal.

The Hurricanes on Thursday said they signed the popular forward to a contract that will pay him US$1.5 million in the upcoming season and US$1.9 million in 2010-11. The 27-year-old LaRose is coming off a career year with personal bests of 81 games, 19 goals and 31 points. He helped the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford called LaRose, a one-time undrafted free agent, "a key player for our franchise."

He became the third high-profile offensive player to re-sign with Carolina this week. Fellow forwards Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen, who were also free agents, signed two-year deals.